Lesson Plan
ArtsNow

Arts Now Learning: Operations and Algebraic Thinking With Music [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd Standards
Counting the number of beats in a common folk song, the students will use composition and classroom instruments to discover different combinations for accompaniment.
Article
NPR: National Public Radio

Npr: Who Were the Cowboys Behind 'Cowboy Songs'?

For Students 9th - 10th
This article and audio report [9:05] covers the origins of American cowboy folk songs. Uses popups. Also includes a brief video clip of a 19th century folk song being performed.
Website
Other

Green Willow Folk Club

For Students 9th - 10th
This site gives some background information on folk singers who are in concert in Wilmington, Delaware, and also gives a backround of their organization.
Lesson Plan
Broward Education Foundation

Broward Education Foundation: Creative Canjos [Pdf]

For Teachers K - 1st
Creative Canjos is an interdisciplinary unit that teaches American History through Folk Art and Folk Music. The students began the project in Art class. They were introduced to American Folk Art through a teacher made iMovie. The iMovie...
Website
Other

Weekly Wire: Northern Lights

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an article about Nordic folk music and its growing popularity. It profiles two groups called Frifot and Sorten Mud.
Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Blues Music: Overview

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview and definition of blues music that developed in the southern United States in the early nineteenth century. Performers from Georgia include Ray Charles, Ma Rainey, Little Richard, and the Allman Brothers.
Handout
Other

Folk Lib Index: A Library of Folk Music Links

For Students 9th - 10th
Contains many links to information relating to folk music. The links go to artists pages, music genres, articles and folk music venues.
Handout
PBS

Classics for Kids: Ralph Vaughan Williams

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short biography of Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: An Interview With Vusi Mahlasela

For Students 9th - 10th
Here, Vusi Mahlasela talks about music, its social impact, and his hopes for how we relate to each other in this challenging world. [6:29]
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Southern Mosaic

For Students 9th - 10th
This site, from the Library of Congress, provides a recording project by the WPA during the Depression Era of folk music collected throughout the southern states of the U.S. Supplemented by photos and other material to document life...
Website
PBS

Mpr: The Meaning of Sioux Music and Song

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Minnesota Public Radio provides the text of a 1915 article written by musician and self-trained anthropologist, Frances Densmore. Densmore spent years studying the music and culture of the Teton Sioux and other native...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Hispano Music & Culture of the Northern Rio Grande

For Students 9th - 10th
Collection of online resources on the Hispanic arts and culture of the Southwestern United States. Exhibits include essays, audio files, and links to related sites.
Website
Mex Connect

Mexconnect: A New Generation Embraces Centuries Old Music of Mexico

For Students 9th - 10th
An article on mariachi music, which originated in the Mexican state of Jalisco.
Website
Other

California State University: Folklore: The Traditional Ballad Index

For Students 9th - 10th
The traditional ballad index is an extensive bibliography of folk ballads. There is some summary information.
Website
PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Joni Mitchell

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an excellent resource covering the life and musical career of Joni Mitchell. Be sure to check out the interactive timeline.
Website
Other

English Folk and Traditional Music on the Net

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a resource for English traditional music. It includes libraries, archives, magazines, and discographies and provides access to many other connected links.
Article
Other

Roots World Traditional Music Magazine

For Students 9th - 10th
Magazine site that specializes in roots music, such as traditional, celtic and folk. International scope with an archive of reviews, interviews and feature articles.
Website
Other

Ifduc: International Folk Dance

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains link to related news groups, music sources, dance groups, and links to folk dance information.
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Bob Dylan

For Students 9th - 10th
One of the premier songwriters of his time, one cannot think of folk music without thinking of Bob Dylan. This legendary singer was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988 and has five songs on the top 500 list of most influential songs.
Article
PBS

Pbs: American Roots Music: Episode Summaries

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides summaries for each of the four episodes: Episode One: When First Unto This Country, Episode Two: This Land is Your Land, Episode Three: The Times They are A-Changin', and Episode Four: All My Children of the Sun.
Website
Other

Pop and Rock Music in the 60s: A Brief History

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has an web-article of the origins of 60s rock. Sections include "The Roots of Rock 'n' Roll," "The 1960's Begin," "The British Invade," and "1968 & 1969: The Unraveling." Also includes a bibliography section called...
Website
University of Pittsburgh

Center for American Music Stephen Foster's Career

For Students 9th - 10th
This University of Pittsburgh site provides a wealth of information about American songwriter Stephen Foster. This link discusses his professional career with various other links within the text about minstrel shows, etc. Return to the...
Website
University of Toronto (Canada)

University of Toronto: Stephen C. Foster, Old Folks at Home

For Students 9th - 10th
This website from the University of Toronto not only provides the lyrics to Stephen C. Foster's song, "Old Folks at Home," but also includes general information about the song.
Article
State of Florida

Florida Historical Resources: Musical Brocade: Ann Yao and Zheng Music

For Students 9th - 10th
An article on the history of the "Zheng," an ancient Chinese stringed musical instrument and how it is still used today in music performances.

Other popular searches