Sarah Ploog

Status:

Standard: Individual Development and Identity:

 J. Post WWII Era, 1945-1980

Performance Expectation: The student will be able to examine cultural influences in specific situations or events and describe the ways cultural influences contribute to the development of a sense of self by listening to songs made during the 1960-70s.

Evaluation: To evaluate the students and to see if they can find the cultural influences portrayed in music, they will be graded on the amount of thought put into their song and presentation, also a one page paper about their song will turned in for grading.

Curriculum: 9^th or 10^th grade U.S. History course

Instruction: This lesson will take place during a Vietnam War unit or a unit during the 1960s through 1970s. At the beginning of the unit a handout about the assignment will be given saying that the students are to pair up and research a song written during 60s and 70s. A weeks time will be given for the student to find a song and write a one page paper about how it portrays the thoughts and feelings of Americans at that time, how they would react to their particular song if they lived during that time period, and how it had an influence on the society as a whole. The pair of students will play their song and give an explanation on why they picked it and how the song portrays the feeling of Americans at that time, to the class.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does each song contribute to the attitudes of Americans during this time period?
2. Were some of the songs too cynical? Why or why not?
3. Do you feel these songs rightly portrayed Americans at this time in history?
4. How do you think the government reacted to some of these songs?
5. What songs today have an impact on the thoughts and feeling of this nation?
6. Is music an effective way to get certain point of views circulating throughout Americans and the world?