Explore how music reflects culture and how a culture reflects popular music. Investigate the development and influences of different musical genres popular in the United States. This lesson plan focuses on issues related to race. Because the topic of race is often incendiary, teachers should be particularly mindful in guiding the lesson. Additionally, teachers should be prepared for students coming across extremely derogatory racial terms in the article that may be upsetting or confusing.
Students then share their responses.
List the genres as students name them. Then, break students into small groups, and assign each group one of the types of music listed on the board. Groups should incorporate all of their research in their booth, as well as the actual music to play in the background. Students will be evaluated based on written journal responses, participation in class discussions, group research of popular genres of music, and thoughtfully developed booths for a music fair dedicated to their researched genres. Transcribe the lyrics of each song on the soundtrack, and in the form of an essay, explain what each song means and how each is representative of the musical form that is the focus of your soundtrack.