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Improvise a Short Story through Jazz
Students evaluate jazz music and a jazz music performance. They collaborate and create an improvised group short story. They improvise a musical piece on found objects.
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“And Still I Rise” Proud Black Women
Students examine the experiences of African American women. In this poetry lesson, students use their literary analysis skills to compare the poetry of Maya Angelou to rap music performed by Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill.
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Giants of American Music and Quarter Notes
In this music worksheet, students are asked to "name a Giant among Musical Monsters." Students also draw quarter notes in the space provided.
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Folk
Students read about Woody Guthrie and how folk music often tells of events of the time and can be effective protest music.
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Jazz in America
Students explore the Swing Era and its implications. They answer questions and listen to music from the era.
San Francisco Symphony
American Civil War Songs
Learners will compare and contrast two songs from the Civil War era, one from the North and one from the South. They'll write a comparative essay on their songs, and then compare their essays and songs with others in their small groups....
American Documentary
American Aloha: Hula Beyond Hawai'i
In this activity, high schoolers will examine Hawaii's issues of colonization, authority, authenticity and cultural identity, and understand the distinction between native and non-native Hawaiians. This activity includes links to videos,...
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Boombox Classroom: American Folk Music
In this music worksheet, students draw a picture of one of Chula's favorite things from a quotation. They answer three multiple choice questions about folk music.
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Duke Ellington and the Rise of Jazz in New York
Students consider how Duke Ellington impacted the rise of jazz music. In this jazz music lesson, students listen to a lecture regarding the life and work of Ellington. Students also watch a video regarding Ellington and discuss music of...
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Rain Dance
Students identify part of the Native American culture and perform a "rain dance".
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Demystifying Stereotypes and Understanding Contemporary Cultures
Fourth graders compare and contrast folk songs from different cultures. In this music instructional activity, 4th graders listen to and list the attributes of selected Japanese and American folk songs. Students discover the customs,...
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Muses of Independence
Eighth graders explore the entertainment options in colonial America. In this colonial life instructional activity, 8th graders watch a movie about colonial music and arts. Students then respond to questions regarding the movie and also...
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Two by Two Guitars!
Students play three simple chords on guitar while singing American folk songs.
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Rockin’ the World: Rock and Roll and Social Protest in 20th Century America
Students explore protest songs. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students examine issues-based music by summarizing lyrics and revealing inferences, generalizations, conclusions, and points of view found in the songs.
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The History of Rock and Roll: Parts 1, 6, 8, and 10 Roots of Rock & Roll
Learners examine the musical influences on the emergence of Rock and Roll.
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"West Side Story"
In this music history worksheet, students discover the musical "West Side Story" by first reading a summary of the plot. Students answer 5 questions about the story line. Students then read and analyze the lyrics to "America" and discuss...
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The Mandan Buffalo Dance and You
Students create short oral presentations describing how Native American tribes use dance, poetry, music, art and other expressions to make a dedication to a physical concept or thing.
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Writing Lyrics
Learners examine the themes and structure of a bluegrass song and identify the common themes in bluegrass music. They practice songwriting by rewriting the lyrics of "Oh! Susanna" as a bluegrass tune.
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Rhythmic Travel Around the World
Students explore and play rhythm sticks while listening to songs from around the world. They locate the countries of origin on a map, and tap their rhythm sticks to the beat of the music.
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Learning By Looking: Pueblo Indian Ceremonial Dances
Students investigate the uses of ceremonial dance in the Pueblo Indian culture by viewing videos of native dances. They listen to folk tales that explain the dances and compare the traditions of the Pueblo culture to their own culture....
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Independent - To Be or Not Top Be - Day 1, Lesson 2: Scavenger Hunt
Fifth graders research the thirteen significant events that lead to the start of the American Revolution.
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West Virginia Def PB Wants You!
Students write, adapt, and compose a song related to the West Virginia State Museum. In this music lesson, students create a composition for a work of visual art. Students incorporate major and minor melodies.
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"Disco Sucks!"
Young scholars examine why disco and other forms of music were not widely accepted.
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Elvis
In this excellent music and history lesson, 1st graders watch movies and listen to music sung by Elvis Presley, then draw and write as if they were a famous singer. This entertaining and inventive lesson has a terrific assessment...