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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's All Poetry to Me!

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore language arts by analyzing poetry styles. In this writing analysis lesson, 4th graders read several sample poems in class and identify similes, metaphors and other figurative language within them. Students analyze...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sing Me a Story!

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore lyrics, phrases, and the beats in each phrase. They select a nursery rhyme, set it to a simple tune they already know, and match the tune with the same number of beats per phrase with a poem with the identical...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Repetitive Song Form

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discover different concepts for identifying musical structure and song form.  In this Music History lesson plan, 8th graders compare and contrast a Red Hot Chili Peppers song to an Andrea Bocelli's song. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Garage Band

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify a pop rock music form that includes a verse, a chorus, and a bridge in ABABCBB form. They demonstrate basic skills using the "Garage Band" application. Students crate a piece of music using the garage band...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders discover the thematic connections between classical literary and popular song lyrics.  In this English lesson, 11th graders research a specific topic to be presented to the class.  Students analyze song lyrics in their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oh, Say Can You See...

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners explore the meaning behind "The Star-Spangled Banner." In this music lesson, students sing the first verse of the national anthem and watch several performances of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Learners define several vocabulary...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

THE PEN VS. THE SWORD: LYRICAL RESPONSES TO A NATION AT WAR

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students brainstorm lists of songs that were written in response to American wars; consider the patterns in the lists they create.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stand Up and Sing

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Pupils journal and respond to the question," How does society respond to change?" They create original lyrics to their own song that reflects the context of the Progressive Era.
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PPT
Curated OER

The Romantic Age in British Literature

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Put the Romantic Age into context for British Literature classes with a PowerPoint that defines and characterizes this movement in literature, music and art. Notable painters, writers, and musicians are listed, as are key romantic themes...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Under Joni Mitchell's Influence

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view the AMERICAN MASTERS entitled Joni Mitchell: Woman of Heart and Mind, examine the concept of influence, and explore how Joni Mitchell and her work have influenced others. Students read, interpret, and analyze her lyrics by...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Storytellers: Bruce Springsteen

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students use the music of Bruce Springsteen to learn literature techniques.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Storytellers: Dave Matthews Band

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students listen to the music of the Dave Matthews Band in order to discuss and analyze the lyrics. They examine how the songs are presented and determine if the Dave Matthews Band does a good job of presenting the meaning of the lyrics...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Industrialization

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders analyze primary source documents emphasizing young people in factory labor (mill workers during 1840-1860). They study hours of labor, ages of laborers, reasons for working, and working conditions. They write a poem or song.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crossroads Blues

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
The crossroads, and the decisions made and entities met there, are a common theme in literature, pushing readers to examine the choices and encounters that shape life experience. The theme has also been explored in blues music, most...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Element of Color

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study and analyze the elements of color by creating an personalized color wheel. Emphasis is placed on constructive criticism of student work by others for assessment. Students create short poems for their color wheel...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the rhythm instruments as part of a rhythm band to accompany the well-known poem, "Five Little Pumpkins." They study instrument names, playing techniques, and playing at the appropriate time. They study how to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spooky Notes

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders move to, sing, compose, and interpret various musical techniques through the use of "America", Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers", and a song called "Skin and Bones". Emphasis is placed upon identifying names and values...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Up From the Streets: Hip Hop as a Recognized Art

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students discuss the historical roots of Hip-Hop to the present as an example of an art form that arose from the street into popular culture. Emphasis is placed on in-class discussion and written reflections in this introductory lesson.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VH1 Driven: Jamie Foxx, Lesson 3

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the blues, poetry, the Harlem Renaissance, and the 12-bar blues form. They watch a segment from the video, "VH1 Driven: Jamie Foxx," participate in a class discussion, and listen to songs by Ray Charles and a poem by...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Rock to Teach Literary Devices: Jimi Hendrix “The Wind Cries Mary”

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore literary elements through music. In this figurative language lesson, students examine imagery and personification in "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You've Got to be Taught to Hate and Fear

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore themes of prejudice and acceptance. In this character education lesson, students listen and respond to several fiction books, poems, and lyrics with a similar theme. Students locate articles with the main idea of...
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Lesson Plan
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The Letter Ff: Alphabet Theme

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students complete several cross-curricular activities to learn the letter Ff. In this letter recognition lesson, students complete activities that include geography, music, physical education, science, seasonal, space science, and online...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rhyme In Time

For Teachers All
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of rhyming and recognize them in different pieces of literature that includes songs, speech, and poetry. They also listen to music to make an auditory connection to the concept.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students complete reading and vocabulary activities for Percy Bysshe Shelley's "Ozymandias." In this literary analysis lesson, students review vocabulary and related definitions for the text. Students read the poem and discuss the meaning.