Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VH1 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons Lesson 1

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study the affect of a theme song can have on a show or performer. They compare and contrast an original television theme song with classical music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hank Williams: My Inspiration

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students research Hank Williams and explore his life and career. For this Hank Williams lesson, students complete Internet research, listen to example songs, and watch a movie all to analyze Hank Williams. The ultimate goal is to decide...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Storytellers: The Dixie Chicks

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore an important moment in the course of American History through critical listening. Students analyze the lyrics of one work by the Dixie Chicks. Students have a better understanding of the way music can mirror social...
Activity
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Romeo and Juliet Project: A Perfect Album Side

For Teachers 7th - 12th
In this Romeo and Juliet worksheet, students combine music, lyrics, and drama to analyze Romeo and Juliet. Students select music to fit the theme, mood, and feeling of each act and research the lyrics. Students compose an essay about why...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Under Joni Mitchell's Influence

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view the AMERICAN MASTERS entitled Joni Mitchell: Woman of Heart and Mind, examine the concept of influence, and explore how Joni Mitchell and her work have influenced others. Students read, interpret, and analyze her lyrics by...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students perform a song using correct rhythms, accurate pitches, and dynamic phrasing. They perform an accompaniment to "America" on Orff instruments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Types of Popular Music

For Teachers K - 8th
Pupils listen to different types of music, such as bluegrass, rap and blues. They identify different styles of music and musical instruments. They discuss how the music reflects culture.
Lesson Plan
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Black Music: Its Message and Meaning

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners develop an appreciation for modern black music from a historical, political and lyrical perspective. They examine the political and the historical surge of the civil rights movement of the 1960's and how this surge directly or...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cold War in Popular Music

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze pop culture songs to identify cold war themes and chart. They comprehend and explain why the Cold War took place and ended and assess its significance as a 20th century event. Students conduct a song analysis of the...
Lesson Plan
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Introduction to Musical Theater

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students made oral presentations of a famous muscial theater performance. They research the musical, view selections, and listen to music.
Lesson Plan
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Influences on Musical Styles

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss music of other eras students discuss the influence of elements such as politics, social events, etc. on music of the time. They examine the cause and effect of musical diversity after watching a video segment: "Behind...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Words and Music - Lesson 2

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the relationships among cultural values, freedom of artistic expression, ethics, and artistic choices in various cultures and historical periods.
Lesson Plan
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Storytellers: Pearl Jam, Lesson 1

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the meaning of genre, and specifically investigate the musical genre of grunge. They view and discuss photos, watch the video, "VH1 Storytellers: Pearl Jam," answer discussion questions, and paraphrase the lyrics to a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rhythm & Improv: Jazz & Poetry

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers analyze the elements of poetry and jazz. In this critical thinking skills lesson, students take a closer look at the rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, form, free verse, lyricism, and imagery that exist is jazz as well as...
Lesson Plan
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VH1 All Access Spotlight: Josh Groban

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the lyrics to You Raise Me Up, sung by Josh Groban, and identify the structure and markings in the song that show expressive qualities. They explore how composers use musical concepts to show meaning and mood in a piece...
Lesson Plan
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Storytellers: Bruce Springsteen

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students use the correct music terminology to evaluate a performance, composition, and arrangement of the song "Blinded by the Light" by Bruce Springsteen and compare it to another version recorded by Manfred Man.
Lesson Plan
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The Sounds of Change

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners recognize that music brings out feelings and emotions in people. In this music themes instructional activity, students explore the relationships between culture and music. Learners answer questions about favorite choices in music.
Lesson Plan
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Sam Cooke - Lesson 1

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students identify the impact of the social injustices and Civil Rights movement on Cooke's life and career. They create lyrics to a familiar song that express a personal struggle or concern.
Lesson Plan
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Yankee Doodle... More than Just a Catchy Tune

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students investigate the history of patriotic music and practice singing the tunes with classmates.  In this U.S. History activity, students examine lyrics of the traditional song "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and discuss the differing...
Lesson Plan
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Hip Hop and Geography

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study the various geographic regions of the U.S. and discuss how popular music is influenced by cultural/regional factors. Groups choose East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, or South in rap/hip hop music and create a PowerPoint or...
Worksheet
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Corrido of the Uprooted Ones

For Students 8th - 12th
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students analyze the song "Corrido of the Uprooted Ones." Students respond to 3 short answer questions about the lyrics of the song.
Lesson Plan
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Pop Tops

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Get your class primed for a comparative analysis lesson plan with this activity. They compare and contrast their music preferences to those of their classmates. After reading an article, they identify current trends in popular music,...
Lesson Plan
Friends of Fort McHenry

Sensory “Star Spangled Banner”

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Music can help us to access memories and events in a meaningful way, and Francis Scott Key used specific words to convey what he had seen and felt when writing what would become America's national anthem. Help your class connect to...
Lesson Plan
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Sondheim: Secret Metaphors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the work of Stephen Sondheim. In this musical theater lesson, students examine the musicals Merrily We Roll Along and Sunday in the Park with George. Students identify and anaylze linear and...