Building the Future of Arts Education
Professional development for educators. Summer intensives for young artists. Teaching artist-guided activities for families. Performances for young audiences. Classroom lesson plans. Arts-focused digital media.

Kennedy Center Education offers a wide array of resources and experiences that inspire, excite, and empower students and young artists, plus the tools and connections to help educators incorporate the arts into classrooms of all types.

Mapper's Delight is an iPhone app that shows how rappers cover the globe with references to cities, neighborhoods and regions, using augmented reality to put music and language at your fingertips. With access to data from 1 million transcribed song lyrics, explorers discover how the world's most popular form of poetry and performance engages language arts, STEM, and cultural and data literacy for the 21st century.

Estimated time required: 1 class period.

Technology required for this lesson: Tablet or Smartphone.

Rap music is often about the first person narrative point of view. When one listens to rap they are listening to a story about a person who, like any other author, comes from a specific community, in a specific time and a specific place. That community may be separated or distinguished from that of the listener by media, history, or experience, but in many ways they are still connected. The artist is, at the same time, a unique expression of the community they claim to represent (local perspective) and someone who is subject to the same generalizations when they are viewed from someone not of that community (visitor’s perspective).

Estimated time required: 1 class period.

Technology required for this lesson: Tablet or Smartphone.

Students will use mathematical concepts (plotting points, slope, equations) and Social Studies (geography) to Map their way around the globe.

Estimated time required: 1 class period.

Technology required for this lesson: Tablet or Smartphone.

Students will use mathematical concepts (plotting points, slope, equations) and Social Studies (geography) to Map their way around the globe.

Estimated time required: 1 class period.

Technology required for this lesson: Tablet or Smartphone.

Using the Rap Almanac database students will be able to run simple and/or advanced searches using keyword words, rhyme phrases, people, places, or by the complexity of text found in hip hop lyrics.

Estimated time required: 1 class period.

Technology required for this lesson: Tablet or Smartphone.

This is a lesson on David Ruggles, a 19th-century Black activist and abolitionist, who made contributions to the struggle for Black freedom and equality. The lesson aims to educate students about his life, impact and his relevance in the context of enclaves, Afrofuturism, and Black Futures. The lesson begins with the students experiencing augmented reality technology and observing the David Ruggles artwork. Students then engage in group discussions, taking notes on their observations, and sharing their findings with the class. The students read a Zoom-In on Frederick Douglass and Hydrotherapy, exploring symbols related to David Ruggles, and depicting one such symbol. In the final wrap-up session, the students will create social media-style videos on different topics related to David Ruggles, which they will share with the teacher and potentially post on Instagram to spread the word.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Internet Connectivity, Smartphone, Tablet, Tablet or Smartphone.

This lesson focuses on exploring Seneca Village, a Black enclave in 19th-century New York City, through augmented reality portals, artifacts, and reports. The objective of the lesson is for students to understand the significance of Seneca Village for the Black community and its impact on Black history and culture. Students will use augmented reality technology to observe the Seneca Village art and discuss their observations in small groups. Next, they work together in small groups to read a Seneca Village biography and a Zoom-In article about Black people in New York in hopes of being able to answer trivia questions.Questions cover topics such as the purpose of Black people acquiring property in Seneca Village, the impact of Central Park on the village, the significance of Seneca Village in the Underground Railroad, and the reasons for its eventual demolition.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Internet Connectivity, Laptop/Desktop, Smartphone, Tablet, Tablet or Smartphone.

This lesson focuses on the history and impact of the Young Lords Party. The lesson objectives are to analyze the history of the party and its impact on communities, understand the relationship between the party and enclaves, Afrofuturism, and Black Futures through augmented reality and art, read their biography and Zoom-In, craft text-dependent questions, and create a podcast script. Students interact with a monument, craft text-dependent questions based on the information they analyzed and create a podcast concept that incorporates the use of technology and art. They also pitch their concept to another group for feedback. Finally, they record a video pitch, incorporating feedback from their peers, and sharing it via email or on Instagram. The lesson also includes extensions such as allowing students 20 minutes of work time to record the video. This lesson provides students with an opportunity to think critically and creatively.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Internet Connectivity, Laptop/Desktop, Smartphone, Tablet, Tablet or Smartphone.

This lesson is about exploring the importance of challenging dominant narratives in history and the role of augmented reality in doing so. A field trip to the New York, New Publics exhibit is recommended but not required. Students will examine the wallwork Kinfolk 2040. They will also complete a Time + Memory survey to analyze the impact of time and memory on Black identity and history. Through various activities and discussions, students will reflect on how they can understand the interplay between time, memory, and identity to shape the pursuit of Black Futures.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Internet Connectivity, Smartphone, Tablet, Tablet or Smartphone.

The resources on this page were provided by diverse National Association for Music Education (NAfME) members, NAfME corporate members, and various third-party organizations to support music educators as they navigate unprecedented challenges related to the pandemic, from the need for teacher self-care to tips and considerations for teaching online.

Focus on Octavia Butler's interview with Charlie Rose on June 1, 2000 and a few of her quotes. The lesson aims to engage students in a discussion of Octavia Butler's views on science fiction and the use of figurative language. It explores the relevance of Octavia Butler's quotes to science fiction and love. The students are divided into small groups to analyze one of five quotes and its relevance to science fiction and love. The lesson concludes with a design challenge for students to create a Valentine's Day card inspired by Octavia Butler, interpreting the relationship between science fiction and love. The students have 20 minutes of work time and the option to publish their cards.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Internet Connectivity, Laptop/Desktop, Smartphone, Tablet, Tablet or Smartphone.

Lesson 11 is focused on Chapter 7 of Octavia Butler's The Parable of Sower. The first part of the lesson, Engage, involves listening to Chapter 7 and taking visual notes using a graphic organizer. The second part, Explore, involves answering guiding questions related to the chapter, such as how the main character, Lauren Olamina, illustrates the resilience and agency of Black women, what the chapter suggests about the role of community and interdependence in times of crisis, and how Lauren's understanding of Earthseed relates to the theme of Afrofuturism. In the Wrap-Up, students are introduced to Design Challenge 7, which is to storyboard Chapter 7. The lesson allows for at least 20 minutes of work time for students to complete the challenge. Completed works can be submitted for publishing on social media platforms or to Kinfolk's archive.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Internet Connectivity, Laptop/Desktop, Smartphone, Tablet, Tablet or Smartphone.

The lesson will begin with a 2-minute engagement activity where students will watch clips of P-Funk's music videos and share which songs are popular in their families. Students then examine photos of P-Funk's costumes and discuss the differences between Funkadelic and Parliament's sounds. They examine a photo of Sian Proctor and observe what she wore during her space mission. Finally, students imagine the future of fashion and footwear by designing their own "fits of the future". This lesson combines music, Afrofuturism, and fashion, and highlights the impact of influential figures like Sian Proctor and P-Funk.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Internet Connectivity, Laptop/Desktop, Smartphone, Tablet, Tablet or Smartphone.

Since we can’t have Music at school, I want to give you some ways to make music with your family at home! Please see below for some great ways to be Tuneful, Beatful, and Artful!

WHAT YOU'LL FIND ON ROCK HALL EDU:
1. DOWNLOADABLE WORKSHEETS & GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS
2. PRESENTATIONS
3. VIDEOS
4. PLAYLISTS
5. PROFESSIONALLY DEVELOPED LESSON PLANS & ACTIVITIES
6. DIGITIZED PRIMARY SOURCE MATERIALS FROM OUR LIBRARY & ARCHIVES

Our resources are developed and curated by our award-winning Education team and meet national and state learning standards in a variety of subject areas, including music, social studies, STEAM, English and more.

HOW TO USE ROCK HALL EDU
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2. BROWSE OR SEARCH MATERIALS
From the homepage, browse through the Rock Hall's highlighted picks or all of our materials (which are organized showing the newest first). You can search by keyword and/or filter by subject, grade level, media type, or time period to get to exactly what you need in seconds.

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4. CHECK OUT OUR ROCK HALL COLLECTIONS
The Rock Hall team has curated a variety of topic-based collections: find everything you need for a lesson plan, unit, or project-based learning assignment all in one place!

5. SHARE WITH YOUR STUDENTS
Share your favorites, your collections, and all other materials on the site with your students! Click the “share” icon to generate a temporary authorization link that you can send to your students so they can use our resources independently, at school or at home.

Students explore the world of George Clinton and his impact on the music industry through sampling. They will start with a 5-minute activity where they listen to George Clinton talk about sampling and summarize his views. Next, they'll listen to songs that have sampled George Clinton's music, comparing them to the original versions. Students then create their own beat or song using George Clinton's music. After class, students have at least 20 minutes to continue working on their beat or song and can choose to share it on Instagram, email it to the teacher, or submit it to Kinfolk Education for a chance to be featured on social media. This lesson provides students with a hands-on way to understand the significance of sampling in the music industry and the impact of influential figures like George Clinton.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Internet Connectivity, Laptop/Desktop, Smartphone, Tablet, Tablet or Smartphone.

Students discuss the concept of enclaves and how it relates to Earthseed, Sun Ra, and P-Funk. Small groups are assigned different questions to focus on and explore further. In the 10-minute exploration session, students read articles and come up with insights to present to the class. Finally, the 7-minute wrap-up session includes watching a clip of Sun Ra on ancestors and reflecting on the importance of online communities in shaping Black Futures and challenging dominant narratives. An extension of 20+ minutes of work time is also recommended for students to complete a survey about time and memory and review key vocabulary.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Internet Connectivity, Laptop/Desktop, Smartphone, Tablet, Tablet or Smartphone.

Discover how the art of DJing in Hip Hop culture and STEM intertwine in collaboration with MacArthur Fellow physicist, Dr. Carl Haber, Bay Area artist Jahi, and Berkeley Lab's own DJ Miles Green. Learn about the physics behind vinyl records and turntables, and the significance of them in the history and culture of Hip Hop. See live demonstrations on the turntables, an exploration on sound and sound restoration, along with various STEM connections to the turntable.