Music National Content Standard #9

Help students understand music in relation to history and culture. Use the lessons, printables, and references below to support the Music National Content Standard #9 in your classroom. Explore the origins of songs, musical styles, and percussion from around the world. There are great lessons on the history of jazz, the mariachi, Chinese opera, and more! You'll also find musician biographies and handouts on the diverse history of music in America, from patriotic songs to the creation of MTV.

References Technology Strategies -- National Music Standard #9 Learn how technology can help you demonstrate music's relation to history and culture with these student activities and teacher strategies for music education. Integrating Hispanic Music Throughout Curriculum Overview of Latin American music events and styles. Chinese Music Introduce your class to the musical styles, vocal music, instruments, and tradition of the Han Chinese culture. Introduction to Mariachi Music Use this article as a reference for introducing your students to mariachi music. Teaching Native American Music Use this guide to help you address the issues involved when introducing Native American music and culture to your class. Native American Instruments Learn what materials were traditionally used to make Native American instruments, and the role these instruments played in ceremonies. History of Music Printables The Story of the "Star-Spangled Banner" Discover a great story that explains how the popular song came to be the official American Anthem. Teach children about "The Star-Spangled Banner" around Veterans Day, Memorial Day, or the Fourth of July. The Roots of Rock 'n' Roll Introduce your student to the sounds and artists who started a musical revolution called Rock 'n' Roll. Counterculture's Finest Moment: Woodstock Share the story of Woodstock, a rock festival in 1969, and assign the related activities to help students learn more about the counterculture that began in the 1960s. Beatlemania Share the story of the Beatles with your students, and assign the related activities to help them learn more about these revolutionary musicians. Music Television (MTV) Read a brief overview of the creation of MTV, and explore the suggested activities to extend student learning. Woodstock Music Festival Interesting facts and fun activities related to the Woodstock music festival. Swing Was the Thing Big Band music is explored through the work of Benny Goodman, Count Basie, and Glenn Miller. Song Resources & Activities "Star-Spangled Banner" The text of the "Star-Spangled Banner" and some historical information concerning the song and Francis Scott Key. Follow the Drinking Gourd Song Teach students a song that was sung by slaves making their escape to Canada in the 1800's. Patriotic Songs Do you know all of the verses to "America"? Test yourself and your students with some patriotic songs. Patriotic Poems and Songs Learn about the birth of our country. The Star-Spangled Banner II Increase social studies skills with an activity that focuses on the national anthem. Musician Biographies Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix was an astonishing musical innovator, whose style has yet to be defined. Miles Davis Miles Davis was known as the Picasso of jazz. Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong's talent as a trumpeter shaped the world of jazz. Duke Ellington A great American composer, Ellington's big band music became wildly popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Billy Strayhorn Interview Billy Strayhorn, jazz composer, in an interview with Stanley Dance. Ella Fitzgerald Ella Fitzgerald is one of the most acclaimed artists in the history of jazz. John Lennon Relate the story of John Lennon to your students, and have them do the suggested activity to learn more about this member of the Beatles. "Peter and the Wolf" and Sergei Prokofiev Share the story of Sergei Prokofiev's achievements with your students, and assign the related activities as a way of learning more about this talented composer. Robert Johnson Robert Johnson was a talented guitarist, whose music laid the groundwork for Delta blues.

Ragtime & Jazz Lesson Plans Billie Holiday's Song "Strange Fruit" This comprehensive lesson uses Billy Holiday's song "Strange Fruit" as a discussion point for the history of lynching in the United States. Use this lesson during Black History Month (February). Learning through The Duke Students will learn about the important contributions made by Duke Ellington to the field of jazz, as well as some of the factors that led to his involvement in the field. Visualizing Jazz Scenes of the Harlem Renaissance Students read and respond to literary selections that either portray the Harlem jazz scene or were written during the period. This is an excellent activity to enjoy when studying the history of American music and during Black History Month (February). A Jazz Talk Show Students will explore the lives of various jazz musicians, studying the social and historical events current in the lives of the musicians and becoming familiar with their musical styles. This activity will culminate in the production of a news/talk show highlighting the lives of these musical figures. The Fight Against Lynching Summary Sheet This handout should be used in conjunction with the lesson about Billie Holiday's song "Strange Fruit". Students research the effort to end lynching in the early twentieth century. Interactive Timeline Students will explore ragtime music and gain an understanding of its development in relation to jazz. They will also investigate the historical events during the time the genre evolved. Defining Jazz Music These lessons and activities explore sound and how sound is defined in jazz. Percussion Lesson Plans Percussion Performance and Culture Students in grades 5-8 study African and Native American percussion, consider music's cultural relevance, and perform in the style of the genre. Describing Drum Beats in Native American Music Work with students to perform a Native American song and dance, Owl Dance. Allow them to describe and analyze the drum patterns and changing styles of the music and dance. Hispanic Rhythmic Patterns and Drums Use a lesson that helps students understand drum rhythms, performing as a group, and improvising melodies. Chinese Percussion Music Teach students about Chinese percussion instruments and ensemble performances. Use this music lesson to celebrate Asian History Month and the Chinese New Year. Multicultural Lesson Plans Israeli Children's Songs Have students in grades 1-3 sing and compare Israeli and American songs. Appalachian Riddle Song Capture your students' attention with this lesson focusing on "The Riddle Song" to show the pentatonic scale and Appalachian culture. Musical Roots Teach the relationship of today's pop vocal music and other American vocal genres. "Garifalia": Greek Folk Song & Dance Familiarize your students with "Garifalia," a Greek folk song and dance, using this detailed lesson plan. Introduction to the Panpipe Use a lesson that introduces the history of Peruvian and Bolivian panpipes and presents instructions for creating and playing a panpipe. African-American Gospel Music Introduce Gospel music while explaining lyrical meaning and cultural values. This is an excellent music lesson to use during Black History Month. Austrian Yodeling Explore European Alpine culture through folk music and the yodel. Chinese Opera Introduce your class to the artistic characters, vocal music, and instruments of Chinese opera. Creating Opera Work with students to improvise dialogue (speaking and singing), music, and scenery to turn a story into an emotional performance. Mexican-American Mariachi Music Introduce your students to the mariachi with this lesson. More Multicultural Music Resources Additional Music Resources National Standards for Music Education Incorporate the nine National Standards for Music Education into your curriculum. Use these resources to teach students in grades K-12 about singing, instruments, music composition, and much more! Music Resources for Teachers Bring some music into your classroom with lessons and printables! Celebrate Music in Our Schools Month in March, or enjoy music on a regular basis with your students.

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