Music is powerful. Many people can associate a memory with a song. In fact, in many circumstances we use songs to help solidify a memory (e.g. first dance at weddings). In this lesson, music will be used to help students learn more about cultures and attitudes by analyzing a song of protest. Great background reading: The history of American protest music, from Yankee Doodle to Kendrick Lamar
Play a song of protest (e.g. Green Day’s American Idiot, John Lennon’s Imagine, Childish Gambino’s This is America, No Doubt’s I’m Just a Girl). Ask students: Have you heard this song before? Have you ever thought about what it is about? With this project we’re going to look at protest music.
1. Ask students/youth:
2. Over the years, protest music has evolved from uniting people towards a common purpose to social commentary on polarizing issues.
3. In groups, you will select a protest song to examine (must be approved by the teacher). You will then complete the protest song worksheet and prepare a presentation to the class.
Song Name:
Artist:
Release Date:
Issue it covers:
How do you feel when listening to this song?
What is this song saying about the issue?
Why is this song important?
If there is an official video, how does this help illustrate the message?
Anything else?
Students create a presentation on their song that includes
Music is powerful. Many people can associate a memory with a song. In fact, in many circumstances we use songs to help solidify a memory (e.g. first dance at weddings). In this lesson, music will be used to help students learn more about cultures and attitudes by analyzing a song of protest.
