Lesson Plan
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 20: The 1960s Through Music

For Teachers 9th - 10th
By listening to and analyzing the lyrics of selected examples of popular music from the 1960s era, students will develop a greater understanding of the historical and political forces as well as the emotional climate of the decade. This...
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Music of the United States

For Students 9th - 10th
Very thorough resource for music in the United States. History, genres, and references can be found on this site. Includes sample audio recordings.
Handout
Other

Unstrung History of American Guitar: The Guitar and the Birth of American Music

For Students 9th - 10th
The guitar in America began as an instrument used in popular music in the city and then branched out to minstrel shows, ragtime, and even jazz. Read about the history of this ubiquitous instrument and how it took on its American character.
Website
NPR: National Public Radio

Npr: Present at the Creation

For Students 9th - 10th
A compilation of stories from National Public Radio about the creation of new and extraordinary objects, films, and artwork that have shaped and continue to shape American popular culture. Explore everything from the hamburger, to...
Handout
Other

American Film Institute: 100 Years . . . 100 Songs

For Students 9th - 10th
With this list, the American Film Institute presents its choices for the 100 greatest songs in film. The list includes choices from popular films such as The Sound of Music, Cabaret and The Producers.
Website
Other

African Australian Online Resource

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers dozens of reviews of African recordings, new and re-released. Well-known musicians Zap Mama and Femi Kuti, as well as up and coming ones, are reviewed. Links to individual Web sites and audio files are also featured here.
Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Gladys Knight (B. 1944)

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the life and career of Motown's leading lady of soul, Gladys Knight. Along with the family music group "the Pips", she had numerous hits that reached the top of R&B and pop music charts.
Website
Other

Fifties Web

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore popular culture of the 1950s and 1960s. Learn about the cars, tv shows, music, fashion, pop history, slang, and celebrities of those eras.
Website
New York Times

New York Times: Sept. 11: One Year Later

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The New York Times Learning Network provides a variety of archived news articles, lesson plans, and resources concerning the issues and events that surfaced from the September 11, 2001 attacks.