Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian In Your Classroom: The Music in Poetry
Take poetry off the page and put it into terms of movement, physical space and, finally, music with this series of three lessons from the Smithsonian Institution. This resource introduces students to two poetic forms that originated as...
Annenberg Foundation
Rhythms in Poetry
Rhyme, rhythm, free verse, imagery: Do these words describe poetry, or jazz music? The answer is both! A resource explores these similarities as scholars watch a video, engage in discussion, read author biographies, write poetry and...
Curated OER
Comparing Poems
Young literary analysts compare two poems by the same author. Readers look for slant rhyme, observe the beat and rhythm of each, and search for repeated vowel sounds. After re-reading, they observe the lack of punctuation and the stanza...
Curated OER
Teaching Phonics Through Poetry
Students understand rhythm and rhyming words in poetry. In this poetry lesson, students listen to poetry and are able to find the ABAB pattern. Students recognize the "ow" sound. Students complete various activities to practice the...
Pearson
Langston Hughes
An author study provides learners the opportunity to explore in depth the life of, the influences on, and the works of a single literary figure. Introduce middle schoolers to Langston Hughes with a unit that models how to approach an...
Curated OER
I See The Rhythm : The Study of Blues and Jazz
Young scholars gain an appreciation for various types of music. Using the music of the past, they compare it with the music of today. In groups, they research periods in which blues and jazz were most popular and write their own piece of...
Curated OER
Poetry: When the Rain Sings Poems by Young Native Americans
Poetry can express feelings, values, and culture; it also provides insight into a time and place. Young analysts discuss the meanings of several poems from a collection of Native American works entitled, When the Rain...
Curated OER
Rhythm & Improv: Jazz & Poetry
Young scholars analyze the elements of poetry and jazz. In this critical thinking skills lesson plan, students take a closer look at the rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, form, free verse, lyricism, and imagery that exist is jazz as well as...
Curated OER
Kinder Poems & Songs
Students complete a year-long unit for poetry and songs. In this poetry and songs lesson, students complete nine lessons for animal songs and animal poetry to improve their understanding of rhyme, rhythm, and poetry.
Curated OER
Rhythm and Rhyming Long Rope Jumping
Students discuss the importance of rhythm in rope jumping. They practice turning, then jumping. Students discuss the various types of rhymes. They work in groups for a couple of classes, students rotate from chart to chart trying out...
Curated OER
Music Education, The Blues
This lesson examines both the content and form of lyrics in blues songs. In addition to highlighting the basic musical form of a blues song, it also addresses the use of floating verses in blues music, both within the context of the...
Curated OER
VH1 Driven: Jamie Foxx, Lesson 3
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...
Curated OER
The Pony Song
Students sing "Three Little Pigs", the "Pony Song", and "The Animal Blues" in this elementary school music lesson. National and State Standards are addressed. Assessment rubric is included for grading and student evaluation.
Curated OER
Poetry
Students reflect on a news report through poetry. Students write a poem based on this week's news events. Students share poems with each other. Students reflect on a poem of their choosing.
Curated OER
Modern American Poetry
Young scholars identify different types of literary terms in poems. They read different poems and create a packet summarizing them. They write a poem of their own and a biography of one of their favorite poets.
Curated OER
The Harlem Renaissance Movement and its Music
Harlem Renaissance lesson plans can bring the music, poetry, and literature of this time period alive.
Curated OER
Jack O' Lantern, Jack O' Lantern
First graders listen to the story, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear." students listen to a poem, "Jack O' Lantern, Jack O' Lantern," and take turns retelling it. They draw the poem in correct sequence on paper to retell it.
Curated OER
Bam, Chi, Chi, Bam
Students create a class poem based on the song, Bam, Chi, Chi, Bam. The class participates in a brief discussion of the music of Jamaica and the feelings conveyed by this music. After listening to the song, students create a poem to...
Curated OER
Getting to Know You
Third graders explore different types of poetry and illustrate their own experiences through creating their own poem. In this getting to know you lesson plan, 3rd graders create and recite their poems with a self-portrait.
Curated OER
Buggy Patterns
First graders discuss the definition of patterns, and sing the song, Going Buggy, identifying patterns in the song. They create original patterns using bug counters and insect stickers.
Curated OER
Invent a Holiday
Students compare their own special holidays and traditions and then use their imaginations to create their own holiday.
Curated OER
Swinging on a String
Students explore how pendulums work and why they are useful in everyday applications. In a hands-on activity, they experiment with string length, pendulum weight and angle of release.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Langston Hughes
Poet laureate Langston Hughes is featured in this brief biography highlighting his vast collection of writings, particularly his poetry, which drew upon racial and self awareness in America. See "Langston Hughes Activities" for related...
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Langston Hughes
This resource focuses on the works of famous African-American author, Langston Hughes.