Eden C. Stein
Objectives
- To listen closely to music and identify the instruments, rhythm, and feelings it evokes.
- To analyze lyrics as poetry for literary devices, theme, and connection to the core text.
Note - This lesson should take place while students are reading Part II of the memoir, “the stories of south carolina run like rivers.” On page 54 in the poem “at the end of the day” Jacqueline’s grandmother tells her “Colored folks used to stay where they were told they belonged. But times are changing. And people are itching to go where they want.” This quote is the inspiration for this lesson.
Activities
- Present students with a graphic organizer they will use for analyzing the songs for this lesson and other lessons in the unit. The organizer can have columns for music (instruments, rhythm) lyrics (poetic devices, theme, connection to text) and biographical information on the artist.
- Play the song “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke, while students follow along with the lyrics. Provide biographical information on Sam Cooke from a video or short text. Provide some time for students to fill in the row of their organizer and then encourage several students to share their reactions.
- Follow the same procedure with the song “The Times They Are A-Changin’” by Bob Dylan.
- Ask students which song speaks to them more closely and to explain why. Pose the question on whether they are influenced more by the musical style, lyrics, or race of the artists.
- Ask students about their familiarity with the song “We Shall Overcome.” Where have they heard it? Do they know where it comes from?
- Have students read the webpage “We Shall Overcome: The Story Behind the Song,” and then watch a music video created with photos of the Civil Rights Movement. Ask students which images from the video had the biggest impact on them.
Assessment
Have students find their own songs about change that inspire them. They should use the questions on the graphic organizer to write a response to the song and turn it in with a link to the song for the teacher to listen to.