Curated OER
Music of Slavery and Oppression in the Mid-1800's
Students examine 19th century life for African-Americans. In this slavery lesson, students analyze the lyrics of slave songs and present their findings to their classmates.
Curated OER
Wanted, a Substitute
In this primary source analysis learning exercise, learners analyze an American Civil War song. Students respond to 5 short answer questions about the song and its lyrics.
Curated OER
Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum
High schoolers explore the American dream. In this contemporary music lesson, students analyze the lyrics of songs by Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen, and David Massengill. High schoolers create 3-D representations of the American dream...
Curated OER
African Women: Their Roles and Music
Middle schoolers explore music by African women. In this African society lesson, students compare and contrast the roles of African and American women. Middle schoolers listen to music by African women and analyze the lyrics of the music.
Curated OER
Introductory Lesson on Prejudice
Students define prejudice. In this cultural diversity lesson, students analyze the lyrics of "Carefully Taught," from Broadway's South Pacific and then discuss and debate the attributes of prejudice.
Curated OER
Learning About the Civil Rights Movement Through Photographs
Young scholars examine the racial inequality that existed in the United States before the Civil Rights Movement. After listening to song lyrics and viewing photographs, they discover the importance of the movement in helping society...
Curated OER
Civil Rights Violations In America, A Historical Review
Learners analyze an event where a person or groups of people were singled out because of their race, religion, nationality or sexuality. They interpret the song "Scarecrow" by Melissa Etheridge and apply the lyrics to the events they...
Curated OER
The Role of Protest Songs
tudents will illustrate the role, significance, and history of protest songs from the African American Civil Rights Movement. They will verbally answer the question: "What is the link between the Civil Rights Movement and Hip Hop music...
Curated OER
The Cold War in Popular Music
High schoolers analyze pop culture songs to identify cold war themes and chart. They comprehend and explain why the Cold War took place and ended and assess its significance as a 20th century event. Students conduct a song analysis of...
Curated OER
Empathy and the Vietnam War
Learners explore the implications of the draft during the Vietnam War. In this Vietnam lesson, students analyze the lyrics of songs that explore differents opinions of the Vietnam draft. Learners particpate in a role-play activity that...
Curated OER
Stand Up and Sing
Students journal and respond to the question," How does society respond to change?" They create original lyrics to their own song that reflects the context of the Progressive Era.
Curated OER
Campaign Songs as Propaganda
Student analyze campaign messages about tariffs in a nineteenth-century campaign song. They identify the intended audience of the message. They discuss strategies for courting the other political party's bloc.
Curated OER
Music of the Great Depression
Eleventh graders take a closer look at the music of the Great Depression. In this 1930's America lesson, 11th graders read and analyze the provided lyrics of 6 songs from the era. Students then compose their own lyrics for songs that...
Curated OER
International Curiosity and National Pride
Students analyze their own culture and a Bulgarian culture to identify national, local, or ethnic traits. In this culture analysis lesson, students identify three important characteristics of their culture and compose a list of questions...
Curated OER
The Star-Spangled Banner
Students sing the national anthem and analyze the lyrics. They work in cooperative groups to sequence the lyrics, research the cultural and historical context of the anthem and record a class performance.
Curated OER
Trash or Treasure?
Students explore their experiences and reflect on how one person can make a difference in our world. For this service learning lesson, students analyze themes in music related to encouragement. Students perform a service learning project...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: A Racist Tirade Spotlights the N-Word
In this current events activity, students analyze a political cartoon about racial epithets and respond to 3 talking point questions.
TCI
Celebrating Our Constitution
School House Rock's "Preamble" launches a study of the Preamble of the US Constitution and the relevance of this 200 year-old document today.
Curated OER
Old Hickories
Students analyze historical events to develop a historical perspective. For this critical analysis lesson, students read excerpts, primary sources and other materials in order to understand the Native American Removal that occurred...
Curated OER
Early Industrialization
Eighth graders analyze primary source documents emphasizing young people in factory labor (mill workers during 1840-1860). They study hours of labor, ages of laborers, reasons for working, and working conditions. They write a poem or song.
Curated OER
Fires of the 21st Century
Learners explore historical perspectives. In this contemporary history lesson, students listen to Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire," discuss they lyrics, and add a new verse to the song for the years 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
Curated OER
Stand Up and Sing: Music and Our Reform History
Students examine events of historical significance in music. In groups, they are given pieces of sheet music and work together to try to determine the social and political conditions of the time based on the lyrics. They write their own...
Curated OER
Jazz Talk
Learners analyze the origins of jazz music by examining work songs, spirituals, blues, and gospel songs as well as works of poetry from African American artists. They create their own poems from either the narrative, dramatic, or lyric...
Curated OER
Getting Inside The Outsiders Through Music
Young scholars listen to popular music of the 50's and 60's to make literature connections to The Outsiders. In this popular culture lesson, students evaluate and analyze various songs and connect them with the themes in the literature...