Browse lesson plans

Freedom songs of the civil rights movement

Students will listen to freedom songs recorded during the civil rights movement, 1960–1965. Students will write about personal reactions to the music and lyrics. Through reading and pictures, students will briefly explore historical events where these songs were sung. Listening again, students will analyze and describe — musically — particular song(s).

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Music Education and Social Studies)

By Merritt Raum Flexman.

In the spirit of... (museum pre-visit)

This is an integrated unit that focuses on masks in cultures as reflections of individual spirits. In this pre-visit lesson, students will explore the cultures of the Western Hemisphere.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–6 Visual Arts Education and Social Studies)

By Shannon Kelly.

Native American music: Two North Carolina tribes

In this lesson plan, students will listen to songs from two North Carolina tribes. Students will learn about the music through listening, analyzing, singing, moving, and playing instruments.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Music Education and Social Studies)

By Merritt Raum Flexman.

Resources on the web

Giving voice to history

In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students explore a somber period in American history. During World War II the U.S. government ordered more than 120,000 Japanese Americans to detainment camps. Drawing upon research and analyzing a variety of sources, including... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

How and why has the White House changed?

In this lesson, the second in the EDSITEment curriculum unit titled “From the White House of Yesterday to the White House of Today,” students explore how the "President's House" has evolved over time. After reviewing James Hoban's original design,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan

Provided by: EDSITEment

How was the White House designed?

In this lesson, part of the EDSITEment curriculum unit titled “From the White House of Yesterday to the White House of Today,” students explore some of the issues involved in designing the “President's House.” They compare proposed... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan

Provided by: EDSITEment

Musical Harlem

Students will learn to identify musical styles and musicians associated with Harlem, focusing on jazz. They will learn about the special role of music in Harlem as a unifier of a community and of a culture. Students can listen to audio samples and analyze... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–4 Music Education and Social Studies)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

What portraits reveal

This lesson is designed to help students recognize that portraits, whether paintings or photographs, can tell us more about people of the past than just what they looked like. Students first compare portraits of three Presidents of the United States... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Visual Arts Education and Information Skills)

Provided by: EDSITEment