Lesson Plans
Smithsonian Resources
Smithsonian Distance Learning
The Smithsonian is committed to supporting teachers and their students around the globe as they face unprecedented new learning challenges. At the Learning Lab, teachers have access to millions of digital resources from across the Smithsonian's museums, research centers, libraries, archives, and more. You will also find pre-packaged collections that contain lessons, activities, and recommended resources made by Smithsonian museum educators as well as thousands of classroom teachers like you.
Smithsonian Music
Did you know that the Smithsonian’s combined musical resources constitute the world’s largest museum of music? Music is an integral part of the Smithsonian’s connective tissue, spanning a remarkable number and diversity of collections, programs and exhibitions. Visit this site, created for the 2019 Year of Music, to tap into the Smithsonian’s bounty of educational resources, music videos, collection spotlights and more.
The Look of the Listen: The Cover Art of Folkways Records
From 1948 to 1986, Folkways Records produced over 2,000 recordings of remarkable breadth and diversity. This virtual exhibition from Smithsonian Folkways presents the look of Folkways through an exploration of the cover art and design of this extraordinary recording company.
Musical Math-terpiece: The Art of Piet Mondrian
In this lesson from the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, middle school students will learn about the life and art of Piet Mondrian, his style influenced by jazz music and his technique using spatial concepts. Students will create a painting in Mondrian’s non-objective style.
Louis Armstrong Education Kit
This History Explorer kit of guided listening activities and streaming music offers an engaging way of introducing students to jazz. It traces Louis Armstrong’s career as a musician, from influences in African rhythms and New Orleans marches through performances in the 1960’s and 70’s. It could be used as an introduction to using music and sound recordings as primary sources.
Monday Morning Ready