Yankee Doodle Lesson Plans

Students investigate the history of patriotic music and practice singing the tunes with classmates.  In this U.S. History lesson plan, students examine lyrics of the traditional song "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and discuss the differing points of view in the song.  Students sing "Yankee Doodle" as well as other classic patriotic songs in class.

Students compare two different versions of the song Yankee Doodle. In this comparing lesson, students view a slide-show about the song Yankee Doodle. Students then note the differences in symbols and terminology.

First graders practice rhythm and beat. In this music lesson, 1st graders sing and clap to the song "Yankee Doodle Dandy".  They find the rhythm of the music and practice making rhythm with other instruments.

Students examine the bicentennial quarter and the image of George Washington as a symbol of the U.S. They discuss the presidency, the Revolutionary war, and the 13 original colonies. They march around the classroom to "Yankee Doodle".

First graders recognize patriotic songs of America. In this historical music lesson, 1st graders discuss the historical background of the song "Yankee Doodle" and repeat the lyrics after the instructor. Students read the lyrics to the song "America" and use a flip-chart to memorize the words.

Fifth graders listen to a discussion on the Minutemen and Bunker Hill and learn about Paul Revere's ride. In this Minutemen lesson plan, 5th graders take a quiz on the information and play a Yankee Doodle game.

Students analyze early American literature and its figurative language. For this Revolution literature lesson, students read Yankee Doodle and answer the questions about the figurative language in the song. Students also read the broadside Revolutionary Tea and answer the other questions.

Sixth graders complete activities about colonial history through an examination of art from the American Revolution period. In this history and art lesson, 6th graders define an iconic image, sing the song 'Yankee Doodle,' and analyze art for iconic images. Students complete a vocabulary sheet and select iconic images to include in their art piece.

Fourth graders study the Civil War. They listen to and study the songs, 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' and 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home.' They play 'Yankee Doodle' on their recorders and write in their reflection journals about their musical experience.

Students discover the shape-note method of singing. In this reading and notating music lesson, students learn the four shapes of the shape-note method and the tradition of Sacred Harp singers. Students sing the shapes of "Yankee Doodle" and "Chester," learn to lead and keep tempo, and are introduced to harmony.