Media Smarts
Defining Popular Culture
What part does media play in creating, defining, and perpetuating popular culture? High schoolers chart their encounters with fads, trends, and icons and reflect on the media's influence on popular culture.
Curated OER
Families and Neighborhoods
Pupils study family structure. In this family structure lesson, students read the book The Family Book and discuss families. Pupils create a bulletin board of family photos and draw their families on paper. Students dance and play...
Curated OER
Describing Music
Fifth graders listen to the 9th symphony and identify the tiri-ti rhythm. They identify the number of times they hear a phrase "turn, turn, turn". They then describe the meaning of one song and answer questions in class discussion.
Curated OER
September 11, 2001
Third graders discuss one thing that makes them feel special. They read the book "We're Different, We're the Same" and discuss the differences they saw in the people in the book. They discuss how they would treat others who are different...
Curated OER
Getting to Know You
Students complete an getting to know each other activity. In this personal names lesson, students play a name game, read a book about names, and then discuss why names are important. Students design a name card on oak tag rectangles and...
Curated OER
Perspectives
Seventh graders describe an event, a situation, etc. through the eyes of two people or two inanimate objects.
Curated OER
History & Diversity
Students list the qualities needed to build strong family relationships. They gain an appreciation for the sacrifices of their ancestors who came to America and gain insights into the many fine qualities of minority families.
Curated OER
Diverse Voices - African American Ventures
Students research African American history and the Underground Railroad. In this African American history lesson, students discuss the Drinking Gourd. Students read 'If You Traveled the Underground Railroad' and discuss. Students work in...
Curated OER
Rebus Writing Using Nursery Rhymes and a Book
Students write nursery rhyme rebus songs. In this music instructional activity, students practice writing rebuses as a class. Students then create their own rebus based upon "The Bag I'm Taking to Grandma's".
Curated OER
All That is Irish and More - Activity 1
Students listen to examples of fiddle music and violin music to determine the similarities and differences between the two musical forms. A video link is included in this introductory lesson to fiddle music (Part One of Two).
Curated OER
Creation Mythology
Students construct a map from geographic data and explain relationships found in the information. Students identify ancient beliefs and customs through Hawaiian creation myths while comparing similarities and differences and appreciating...
Curated OER
Carnival of the Animals Lesson
Young scholars listen to Carnival of the Animals and recognize that a certain instrument represents a certain animal. In this animals and music lesson plan, students will make a book showing which musical instruments represent which...
Curated OER
Money Sings
Students listen to and perform songs for the purpose of learning the perceptions of people in regard to their financial holdings.
Curated OER
Tolerance
Students are encouraged to have a sense of tolerance, including racial differnces, in order to enjoy the richness and diversity of life. They are shown readiness to look beyond surface impressions. Students appreciate that other's...
Curated OER
We Are Unique - Yet Also Alike
Sixth graders compare their lives to trees and make connections between the two, consider how trees are metaphors for people, and draw and label trees to represent themselves. Students then read brief stories, fables or nursery rhymes,...
Curated OER
Songs from the Past
Students research songs from the past to learn about historical events. For this music history lesson, students conduct a survey on the Star-Spangled Banner, research the song and history on various websites, and research songs in the...
Curated OER
The Mosaic School
Students complete activities to learn about world cultures. In this multicultural lesson, students define the terms diversity, culture, and mosaic. Students research their family's country of origin and complete activities using the...
Curated OER
The Southeast Region
Students write a song about the southeast region. In this southeast region lesson plan, students view pictures of landforms, hear music, look at maps of states, and more.
Curated OER
Traditions and Transformations
Ninth graders examine the Jewish culture from a variety of perspectives. In this ethics instructional activity, 9th graders interview guest speakers on the subject of Jewish culture. Students create group poems and murals around themes...
Curated OER
Immigration in America
Fourth graders examine the musical traditions that immigrants bring to the United States. They discuss the concept of home, complete the "My Home" worksheet, participate in a class discussion, and write a letter to a fourth grade...
Curated OER
Polyrhythmic Drumming Styles: Japan and Brazil
Students explore cyclic patterns in drumming style. In this multicultural music lesson, students listen to and compare Taiko and Samba drumming styles and complete a compare/contrast worksheet.
Curated OER
Historic Heroes
Students recognize traits of heroes as depicted in music, art and literature. For this cross curricular lesson, students evaluate and analyze various works fo art from different cultures that depict heroes.
Curated OER
Lessons in Drama: Learning About American Political Thought
Students develop critical thinking skills so that they may produce their own written plays or music from their thoughts and feelings. They express their thoughts based on what has been presented to them over the duration of the course.
Curated OER
Truthfulness
Young scholars investigate the concept of truthfulness. They practice the skill through seeing how truth is seen from other perspectives. Students are given a quotation to consider and spend time brainstorming with others about its meaning.