Women of the Wild West

  When you’re using a cowboy classroom theme or studying the Wild West, don’t forget the women. The photo here is of “Spirit of the Prairie,” a statue in Colby, Kansas, sculpted in 1985 by Charlie Norton. Women of the Wild West didn’t go on cattle drives and they took… Continue reading

Cherokee Water Drums Lesson Plan

  Background information  Objectives: Students will recognize that changes in an object can change the pitch it makes. Students will identify Cherokee water drums as an example of this phenomenon. Materials: identical water glasses; at least three Mavalus tape Measuring Cup water Craft Sticks Procedures: Explain that the Cherokee put… Continue reading

Cowboy Classroom

A cowboy classroom or Western theme classroom is a perennial favorite. Depending on the items you choose, you can adapt this theme to all grade levels and subject areas. Read on for decorations and resources (and a video that made us laugh out loud). Start with bandanas and denim. Any… Continue reading

Hawaiian Music Lesson Plans

  Hawaii has a rich musical tradition quite different from that of the mainland. The Hawaiian Hula Archives include clips of “mele” or chants, as well as songs and lyrics and lots of background information. Explore some Hawaiian instruments, and play along with the music clips to practice rhythm skills.… Continue reading

FreshPlans visits the Air Museum

We went to visit the Arkansas Air & Military Museum, a specialized museum in Fayetteville, Arkansas. There’s a hangar full of planes and buildings containing military vehicles, engines, and historical displays. Just looking at the planes was the best part for most of us. There were planes and helicopters from… Continue reading