Music and Poetry of early U.S.

Songs and Poetry of Pre- and Post- American Revolution

Section 1:  Content

We often tend to think of history only in terms of who was doing, what was happening, and who “won.”  One aspect of the culture of the times involves the poetry and music that was important to the people—this poetry/music tells the struggles, mocks conventions, and buoys the spirits of the common people of that time.

Section 2:  Creative Activities

Have students select a poem or song from the timeframe.  (DOK 1)  Research the aspect of culture/history that is the main theme of this work. (DOK 3) Write a one page critique/summary of your findings. DOK 2, DOK 3)  Use this paper to produce a five-slide powerpoint presentation, which will be shared with your peers. (DOK3, DOK 4)

Slide 1 Identify the poem/song

Slide 2 Outline the event/timeframe of this work

Slide 3 Present your research ideas

Slide 4 Links/performance

Slide 5 Sources consulted

 

Section 3:  Standards

Subject Area 9 Arts and Humanities

Standard 9.2 Historical and Cultural Context

9.2.8.A Explain the historical, cultural and social context of an individual work in the arts.

9.2.8.D  Analyze a work of art from its historical and cultural perspective.

9.2.8.F  Know and apply appropriate vocabulary used between social studies and the arts and humanities.

 

Section 4:  Depth of Knowledge Questions

DOK 1:  Identify

DOK 2:  Collect and Display, Make Observations, Summarize, Organize

DOK 3:  Investigate, Explain Phenomena in Terms of Concepts

DOK 4:  Synthesize, Create

 

Section 5:  Danielson Domain Framework

Domain 1c, 1d, 2a, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c

Further Reading/Resource Sites

Carmer, Carl.  America Sings.  New York:  Alfred A. Knoft, 1942.  Print.

Cohn, Amy L.  From Sea to Shining Sea:  A Treasury of American Folklore and Folk Songs.  New York:  Scholastic, 1993.  Print.

Fellman, Hazel.  The Best Loved Poems of the American People.  New York:  Doubleday, 1936.  Print.

Ferris, Helen.  Favorite Poems Old and New.  Garden City (NY):  Doubleday, 1957.  Print.

Hopkins, Lee Bennett.  Hand in Hand:  An American History Through Poetry.  New York:  Simon & Schuster, 1994.  Print.

Langstaff, John.  Hi! Ho! The Rattlin’ Bog and Other Folk Songs for Group Singing.  New York:  Harcourt, Brace & World, 1969.  Print.

Lyons, John Henry.  Stories of Our American Patriotic Songs.  New York:  Vanguard Press, 1942.  Print.

Scott, John Anthony.  The Ballad of America:  This History of the United States in the Stories, the Words, the Music of more than 125 Songs.  New York:  Grosset & Dunlap, 1966.  Print.

Silber, Irwin.  Songs of Independence.  Harrisburg (PA):  Stackpole Books, 1973.  Print.

Spier, Peter, illus.  The Star-Spangled Banner.  Garden City (NY):  Doubleday, 1973.  Print.

The Story of Music, Volume 4, Folk, Country, and Cajun Music.  Danbury:  Grolier, 2001.  Print.