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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Roots of Modern Dance in America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop an understanding of how African culture impacted modern dance in the United States.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Masking: Honoring Animals, Ancestors, and Gods

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Learners analyze the role of masks in African culture. In this African masks lesson, students read about the importance and meaning of imagery of African masks. Learners observe animals in local ecosystems and create a mask combining the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using the Patterns and Symbols of Mali Mud Cloth to Convey Identity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in relating the role of the arts in defining identity. They examine the community in West African society and how members of that community define their role. They view how artifacts, music and performance can...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Masks

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students create paper masks linking the function and purpose of masks in the past, with modern life.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Storytelling With Artists

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students retell a legend orally, illustrating it with the art style of the source culture.
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Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Education: Spotlight Biography Modern Dance

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographies of famous dancers, including Katherine Dunham, dancer and choreographer. Description of dance styles and influences.
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Website
Other

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Revelations

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of the dance Revelations, choreographed by Alvin Ailey. The dance was first performed on January 31, 1960, and made Ailey an overnight sensation in the dance world. Includes video and photographs, as well as links to videos...
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Website
Other

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Repertory

For Students 9th - 10th
Description and information about works in the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre repertory.
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Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Alvin Ailey Dance Theater

For Students 6th - 8th
This brief encyclopedia entry describes the creation and development of the dance company Alvin Ailey began. There is a link to a website that will take you to the theater's web page.
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Lesson Plan
Yale University

Living Pictures Representing the History of Black Dance

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief history of black dance in America, includes dance pioneers in jazz dance, ballet, and modern dance.
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Handout
Other

Vance Holmes's Fantastic Tap Dance Dictionary

For Students 9th - 10th
Searchable glossary of terminology common in tap dance, compiled by Vance Holmes, M.F.A., choreographer, and dance educator. Links to other dance and music dictionaries.
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Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Rap/hip Hop

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia entry gives a brief history of rap and hip hop and the influences of the music on modern culture.
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Website
Other

Africultures

For Students 9th - 10th
Similar to an online newspaper, this resource provides numerous insights to the contemporary culture in Africa.

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