Author: Dale Apple
School/Organization:
Lewis C. Cassidy Academics Plus School
Year: 2011
Seminar: Who Are Those People and Why Are They Listening to That Music
Grade Level: 6-8
Keywords: History, Music, social activism, songs
School Subject(s): Language Arts, Technology, Arts, Music, History
This unit is designed for students in Grade 6 or higher, and will provide outlets for students to be creative in response to American music and history. We will be looking at movers and shakers from American History and how music from their times influenced them. This unit is an interdisciplinary series of lessons with Art, Music, History, Language Arts and Technology.
Students will explore the role music plays in their everyday lives, and will examine American history through the theme of social change using music, beginning with early songs from the auction block, to the cotton fields- from the dust bowl and the depression through civil rights and wars, to the present day. We will deal with the larger issues of social change, and how these issues affected citizens of our country. It will show that often, music’s message went across color lines and brought people together to bring about these changes. The history of a nation’s people is reflected through the arts and students will be able to make this connection.
Some activities will include:
Download Unit: 11.05.01-1.pdf