Curated OER
Harlem Renaissance
Middle schoolers discover the Harlem Renaissance. In this early 20th century lesson, students use various primary sources including handouts, worksheets, maps, music, and poetry to examine aspects of African American culture. Middle...
Curated OER
Rhythm
One of the most fun characteristics of a poem is rhythm! Little ones will clap along as you read a poem, to determine the rhythm of the piece. The book In the Swim is used throughout the lesson; it contains fish themed poems that kids...
Curated OER
Can You Hear a Story?
Pupils gain an understanding of relationships between music and language arts. They analyze a story and create a musical composition that reflects and enhances the story. The musical accompaniment will be produced in a book on tape.
Curated OER
Composer/Musician Study
Middle schoolers research a musician or composer of their choice and present their research through a written paper and free choice activity. This lesson can be done over the course of five to six classes with some homework. The paper...
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"Hello" Game
Students listen as the teacher sings the first phrase of the "Hello" song (included with the lesson). They respond by singing the second phrase. They learn to pronounce the hello equivalent in other languages. The teacher sings the first...
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Spontaneous Inventions
Reading out loud can be a real thrill for some, and a real issue for others. Teach your class that reading with inflection and fluency can be as easy as singing a song. They'll first analyze two Bobby McFerrin songs for intonation,...
Curated OER
Introduction To Melodic Notation: Sol-Mi
Second graders discover the use of melody in music and how it relates to simple songs and music notation. Students sing and move throughout this instructional activity. Emphasis is placed upon group and individual practice interpreting...
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Teaching Rhythm and Pitch Reading
Middle schoolers practice correct rhythms and pitches during this short instructional activity for the middle school instrumental class. Objectives vary depending on music used for the instructional activity. Students assessed through...
Curated OER
The Prairie Dog That Met the President
Students identify and interpret the relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts. They identify and relate to music in relation to history and culture. Finally, students gain knowledge of the history of...
Curated OER
Rhythm Counting
Students perform various rhythms and melodies in unison on their individual instruments. Assessment is performed on the last day of the lesson with each student playing individually for the class. This lesson meets national standards...
Curated OER
Thanksgiving Holiday
First graders explore American culture by participating in arts and crafts activities. For this Thanksgiving lesson, 1st graders listen to music based upon the Thanksgiving tradition and examine images of the first Thanksgiving. Students...
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Introduction to the Panpipe
Students examine the panpipe and the cultures that use them in their music. They view photos of Peru and Bolivia and discuss their cultures, listen to recordings of music that includes the panpipe, and construct a panpipe using PVC...
Curated OER
The Prairie Dog That Met the President
StudentS name and discuss facts of the characters in "The Prairie Dog that Met the President". They create a 4 to 8 beat chant about a character from the opera, play a percussion instrument with an assigned rhythm and identify a melody...
Curated OER
Egg Carton Caterpillar
Students create "egg carton caterpillars" using egg cartons, glue, and basic art supplies in this excellent Art, Science, and Language Arts lesson on caterpillars and butterflies. The caterpillars are displayed for two weeks and then...
Curated OER
Using Story Elements to Write a Rep
Students write a rap song to tell the who, what, and where of a story. In this literature lesson, students learn to identify the setting, characters, and plot of a story. Students watch a video and discuss story elements. Then students...
Curated OER
Dance: Sharp and Smooth Energy Qualities
Students use different qualities of movement to express themselves. In this lesson on movement, students use different qualities of energy and then use their experience as an inspiration for writing poetry.
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Elementary My Dear Dancer-Foundation Lesson
Students participate in dance choreography. In this choreography lesson, students classify elements of choreography. Students collaborate in small groups and compose choreography.
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Dancing Levels in Space
Students practice mirroring human moves by performing a dance in class. In this physical education lesson, students utilize different spaces around them to perform a dance expressing their full motion. Students cooperate in pairs or...
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Dance in Hawai`i
Nearly every people group has some type of dance, and those dances usually reflect history and culture. Little researchers write an essay on the cultural significance of the Hawaiian hula dance. They research the role of the hula dancer...
Curated OER
A Jazz Talk Show
Students analyze and describe music while connecting it to history and culture. They gain experience in theatre arts skills and writing. They use the Internet to do research in order to find out the most about this subject.
Curated OER
The Great Migration
Students explore how migration to Harlem created a new life for African Americans. In this cross curricular lesson, students illustrate maps showing the migration, paint murals representing African American life in the South and create a...
Curated OER
Jazz it Up!
Students research the history and contributions of Jazz in their local environments. They then design and create a wide variety of presentations to share with the class using as many mediums as possible.
Curated OER
Poetry for the Common Good
Students identify examples of philanthropy in poetry or song. In this philanthropy lesson, students examine several poems such as Give by Carrie A. Thomas and identify concepts of philanthropy in the poem. Students construct their own...
Curated OER
Rhythm & Improv: Jazz & Poetry
Students analyze the elements of poetry and jazz. In this critical thinking skills lesson, students take a closer look at the rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, form, free verse, lyricism, and imagery that exist is jazz as well as poetry.