Lesson Plan
ReadWriteThink

Read Write Think: The History Behind Song Lyrics

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Critical listening, research and historical information are all part of the material in this multi-disciplinary lesson.
Lesson Plan
Writing Fix

Writing Fix: An I Pod Inspired Poetry Lesson: Song Parodies About School

For Teachers 9th - 10th
After celebrating (and singing) some of the delightful songs from Alan Katz's "Take Me out of the Bathtub" and listening to songs by Weird Al Yankovic, like "Eat It," students will discuss the concept of parody. To practice writing a...
Website
Contemplator

Lyrics and Music to "My Wild Irish Rose"

For Students 9th - 10th
This page provides the lyrics to Chauncey Olcott's "My Wild Irish Rose," as well as brief information about Olcott. You can download the MIDI file to listen to this song.
Website
Bartleby

Bartleby.com: The Golden Treasury of Best Songs and Lyrical Poems in Eng Lang

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Electronic text of Thomas Palgrave's book, "The Golden Treasury: Of the Best Songs and Lyrical Poems in the English Language". There are several ways to find the poem that you want to study: by author, by title, by first line, and by...
Article
Scott Alexander

Lieutenant James Reese Europe: Songs Back From the Battle

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is an extensive biography of World War I African American soldier and jazz musician Lieutenant James Reese Europe. It includes much detail about Europe's life, experience in the military, and success as a bandleader. Photos,...
Activity
Shmoop University

Shmoop: Stairway to Heaven Lyrics

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the background behind the lyrics of "Stairway to Heaven Lyrics".
Primary
Contemplator

Popular Songs in American History: Turkey in the Straw

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides the lyrics to an early minstrel song that was popular during Andrew Jackson's presidency.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Poetry and Music Fun With Chris Daughtry

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This language arts lesson grabs students' attention by incorporating a popular musician. The lyrics to "Over You" include vivid language that makes identifying figures of speech intriguing. The students will identify similes, metaphors,...
Lesson Plan
Writing Fix

Writing Fix: An I Pod Inspired Poetry Lesson: "Ain't Gonna Rain No More"

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will study the rhythm of the old campfire song, "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More," and they will study how Karen Beaumont borrows the rhythm for her book I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! Students will create their own lyrics that can be...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Education, Economic and Social Progress

For Students 9th - 10th
Text, photos, song lyrics and other primary source materials document the struggle to overcome obstacles to equal rights. Click on each image to see a larger image.
Unit Plan
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Migrant Workers Through the Lens of Dorothea Lange

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Using song lyrics and Dorothea Lange's photographs, students will explore the hardships migrant workers faced during the Great Depression.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: Identity, Oppression, and Protest

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan supplements a study of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. The lesson plan is designed to help students understand the impact of Jim Crow Laws and their impact of oppression on African Americans. Blues music is shared to...
Activity
ReadWriteThink

Read Write Think: Billie Holiday Classroom Activity

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A short lesson/activity over the popular jazz artist Billie Holiday, in particular her song "Strange Fruit." Provides a link to the song's lyrics and a clip, as well as other lesson plans, web links, and a bibliography. From April 7, 2007.
Lesson Plan
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 15: The Changing American Landscape

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The rise of American cities between 1865 and 1900 was spawned by the industrial revolution. Technological advancements in industry and transportation fathered the enormous growth of large cities across the United States. This led to the...
Lesson Plan
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 43: Screening Coleridge's Fantasies

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students are often hesitant to speak out with their own explications of literature, but usually have no qualms when asked to offer interpretations of popular musical lyrics. In fact, they seem quite eager to defend a lyrical explanation...
Lesson Plan
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 23: The Poetry of Jim Morrison

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson is designed to help students recognize how lyrics by the rock-poet Jim Morrison connect with themes from diverse and respected traditional works. While William Blake's influence on Morrison is often noted, this lesson focuses...
Website
Other

Mad River Theater Works: The Ballad of John Henry [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Scroll down this study guide to find the lyrics to the Ballad of John Henry, which was collected from individuals in the West Virginia mountains in the 1920's. Discusses the different versions of the song and the history behind it.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Public Enemy

For Students 9th - 10th
In this encyclopedia entry, you read about the rap group, Public Enemy, their songs, and the evolution of their message. There is a link to a website for more information.
Handout
New Advent

Catholic Encyclopedia: Thomas Moore

For Students 9th - 10th
Information on the life of Thomas Moore, English poet and biographer from the 18th century. This is a very complete analysis of Moore's life. Please note that "The Catholic Encyclopedia" is a historic reference source and should be...
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 10: Interpretation and Meaning

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Using the lyrics, music and video of a selected song (example used here is 'One' by the Irish group U2), students will explore the ways in which words, music and visual images interact to create meaning. Students will analyze the...
Lesson Plan
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 30: The Reagan Bush Years

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The Republican era of Ronald Reagan and George Bush had to deal with difficult foreign affair events. Reagan dealt with terrorism, including hostage taking and gundowns, particularly from Libya. Bush dealt with aggression on the part of...
Lesson Plan
Writing Fix

Writing Fix: Your Glorious Gene Pool

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students read the books like I Am the Dog. I Am the Cat by Donald Hall and Joyful Noise by Paul Fleischman and read the lyrics while listening to the song "Shallow End of the Gene Pool" by the Austin Lounge Lizards. Then students learn...
Lesson Plan
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 38: Robert Plant and Jimmy Page

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Many adolescent boys are consumed by theLed Zeppelinsong 'Stairway to Heaven.' The analysis of this song can be used to interest students in the music of the Renaissance minstrels. It will also serve as a means of making students aware...
Interactive
Vocabulary University

My vocabulary.com: World Series Baseball

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This page has a variety of vocabulary puzzles and activities using vocabulary words pertaining to the Baseball World Series. It also provides an extensive Vocabulary Word List for Baseball (396 words) and the lyrics to the song "Take Me...

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