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Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

African American Music: Let’s Sing and Play Clapping Games

For Teachers K - 2nd
Two lessons focus on making a beat. Using popular African American music of its time, scholars listen and analyze the rhythm then recreate it with hands drums, and cups. 
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Lesson Plan
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Dick Blick Art Materials

“Gawu” — African-influenced Tapestry

For Teachers K - 12th
Here's a great way to combine environmental science with art. Kids use recycled materials to create their own Gawu, a tapestry made of discards. Although designed for special education classrooms, the activity is sure to engage all...
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Unit Plan
Yale University

Islamic Art; Exploring the Visual Arts of the Middle East

For Teachers 5th - 8th
The intent of this unit is to demonstrate some of the traditional arts of the Middle East. Extensive background information on the religion, culture, and nature of Islamic art found throughout the Middle East is provided. Each of the...
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Lesson Plan
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Scholastic

Ruby Bridges: A Simple Act of Courage, Grades K-2

For Teachers K - 2nd Standards
A civil rights movement lesson designed specifically with the Common Core State Standards in mind, young learners are introduced to the story of Ruby Bridges as the first African American child to attend an all-white elementary school....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sharing African Culture

For Teachers Pre-K - 5th
Students investigate African American culture by reading aloud an African folk tale and illustrating the tale. They use their illustrations to create a book or a bulletin board that retells the folk tale.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Art Lesson: Doll Making

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students read and discuss the main characters and supporting characters in the African folktale, "Tiger and the Big Wind." They highlight the physical features of the animal that makes them unique and transfers those same qualities to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Language Arts Lesson: Printing and Publishing

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students listen to an African folktale about an animal character that can walk and talk and retell the main events of the story in their own words. They illustrate the folktale utilizing a relief printmaking method as a replica of an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Printing and Publishing

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Explore African literature and artwork in a multicultural literacy and art lesson. Begin with a read aloud of Tiger and the Big Wind: A Tale from Africa, and afterward, have kids retell the main events in the story. They identify and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

365 Days of African American History

For Teachers K - 12th
Students use a calendar template to create a daily calendar of African American historical events. They put one event on each day of the calendar.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Counting on Art

For Teachers K - 2nd
Explore the life and painting style of African-American artist Horace Pippin by looking carefully at its parts, then create a "secret number" painting for a classroom counting book.
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Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Benne Cakes and Other Holiday Recipes

For Teachers K - 12th
Benne Cakes, a West African treat packed with sesame seeds for luck, are a featured part of the celebration of Kwanzaa. Young chefs try their hand at crafting these goodies that are sure to enrich your holiday feast. 
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Lesson Plan
National Gallery of Canada

A Unity Wall Drawing

For Teachers K - 3rd
Build class community with an art project. Learners first examine and discuss works of art. They then contribute to a class mural by tracing their hands and decorating them in relation to their own cultures. The final mural incorporates...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water in Africa

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Young scholars discover the horrible situation of water shortages that many people face by completing Peace Corps activities.  In this global health lesson, students analyze and discuss photographs of people in Africa struggling to find...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Doll Making

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students discuss folktales and read Tiger and The Big Wind, listening for animal characters for later discussion. In this language arts lesson plan, students complete a T chart on characters and make a doll for one either chosen or...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits: Grades 3-5

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars explore the contributions of African Americans of the 20th century. In this African American history lesson, students examine portraits of Muhammad Ali, Romare Bearden, Lorraine Hansberry, Judith Jamison, and Leontyne...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Deep like Rivers: Four African American Poets of the 1920s and 1930s

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine work by outstanding African American poets from the time period of the 1920s and 1930s. They study aspects of American and African American social, cultural and artistic history that influenced the content of some of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Famous African Americans ABC Book

For Teachers K - 12th
Students create an ABC book with short biographies of famous African Americans in history. They utilize teacher-selected and/or student-researched library sources about African Americans in history.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Molded Clay Faces

For Teachers K - 8th
Artists create clay masks using pre-formed molds, clay, glitter, feathers, gems, and paint. The expressive qualities of clay are perfect for creating many different types of face masks, from Mardi Gras glitter to Japanese Kabuki to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

If You Could Fly, Where Would You Go?

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners explore story quilts. In this cross curriculum literacy and art lesson, students listen to the story Tar Beachand discuss the art form of story quilts as used by Faith Ringgold. Learners sketch their own "Where Would You Fly?"...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Animals in Habitats

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate animal habitats in zoos. In this animal habitat instructional activity, students fill in a KWLH chart about zoos before looking at pictures of African animals in zoo habitats. They discuss what they see and take a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Caribbean Beats and Blends: A Global Sound Lesson

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils listen and respond to various forms of Caribbean music. In this music and culture lesson, students clap rhythms and respond to a sung call. Lyrics are analyzed for language blends and repetition. Music and culture from Puerto...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native American Story Necklaces

For Teachers K - 6th
Combine a study of Native American history and art in this activity. Learners discuss the importance of fetishes in Native American culture, the history of necklaces, and create their own works of art. Your class will find this to be...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gullah Activities

For Teachers K
Students study the Gullah culture by watching a video about Gullah, Gullah Island. They discuss the customs and crafts of the people such as basket weaving, food preparation, pottery, and quilt making. While working in centers, they make...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading Teammates

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders read the book "Teammate" after participating in pre-reading activities that include examining the concepts of segregation and discrimination. In this six week literature study, they make timelines, discuss what they know...