Bob Marley Lesson Plans

Students recognize and describe elements of Bob Marley's life that influenced his song writing as evidenced in the song "No Woman No Cry". They identify the elements of music characteristic of Reggae.

Students perform using rhythm instruments with accurate tempo a given syncopated ostinato pattern to accompany a played audio recording of reggae music. They discuss the use of music to express religious and political beliefs.

Students analyze and describe Reggae music using correct musical terms to discuss tonality, instrumentation, meter and tempo. They experiment with singing and dancing to Reggae music in a style appropriate to the genre.

Students compare Reggae to other musical genres and identify rhythms. They study the history and musical significance of Reggae as a musical genre.

Students examine the implications of Manifest Destiny. In this historical case study lesson, students listen to selected protest songs and complete worksheets regarding the messages of the songs.

Learners examine the different types of adversity African-Americans face. As a class, they role-play different roles in scenerios in which they discover the importance of facing their fears and taking responsibility for their actions. To end the instructional activity, they share their own dreams for their future and discuss how to accomplish them.

Young scholars explore basic human rights as they explore music by black artists. In this human rights instructional activity, students examine music as a cultural reflection of the justice issues. Young scholars analyze Jamaican roots reggae of the 70s, American freedom music of the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s, and Nigerian pop music style of the 90s and discuss the common themes that apply to human rights struggles.

Students analyze how social change has affected artistic expression and popular culture. the explain the influence of media on contemporary American culture.

Students listen to and discuss popular music that addresses political and social issues of oppression, but in a joyful way. They role play as artistic teams and plan a music video that may be used for a specific song.

Third graders discover that Christmas is a time for giving and sharing. In this Christmas spirit activity, 3rd graders read a book about a child who is excited about Christmas trees and presents, but comes to realize that Christmas is about much more. Students discuss holidays, traditions, and sharing. Students participate in literature circles and write their own story about Christmas.