Folk Music Lesson Plans

Students use the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young to examine Folk music.

Students explore Folk Music in Iowa. In this folk music lesson, students discuss different types of folk music and how it relates to life in Iowa. They take the tune of a song and write their own lyrics to describe their life. 

Students examine how aspects of Native American and American folk music are alike and different. They contrast both forms of music and engage in many activities to identify or explain how music fulfills a variety of purposes.

Learners examine Appalachian Folk Music and Culture and identify characteristics of folk music. They sing simple traditional folk songs, then compare folk music to other styles of music.

Students research the history of folk music. In this music instructional activity, students watch a video performance of "Blue and Lonesome". Students complete a KWL chart on folk music and the instruments used. Students watch a PowerPoint about the history of Appalachian folk music.

Students concentrate on learning more about the folk music composers in Early American History.

Students examine artwork by Thomas Hart Benton. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students analyze the painting The Sources of Country Music, listen to folk music, and examine how recording technology and the movies shaped the images of country style music.

Students explore the elements of traditional folktales in folk music. They discover common themes in folktales from around the world.

Students explore folk music.  In this folk music lesson, students listen to a folk song and identify the chorus and verses.  Students sing and play instruments to accompany a variety of folk music.  Students compare and contrast modern country music with folk music.

Third graders memorize the steps to the "Chicken Dance" while discovering the uses of an accordion. The teacher explains the role of folk music in history, and the students perform the chicken dance paying special attention to rhythm.