Let the Music Play!

Harnessing the Power of Music for History and Social Studies Classrooms

By:
Anthony M. Pellegrino, George Mason University
Christopher Dean Lee, University of Michigan

A volume in the series: Teaching and Learning Social Studies. Editor(s): William B. Russell, University of Central Florida.

Published 2012

LET THE MUSIC PLAY! Harnessing the Power of Music for History and Social Studies Classrooms provides readers an accessible introduction to employing music in history and social studies classrooms. Teachers who wish to develop lessons using music as a resource will find coverage of the significant relationship between music and social studies, pedagogical models designed to facilitate using music within history and social studies lessons, and coverage of salient historical themes in which music has been integral.

The book begins by establishing the connection between music and social studies themes. Here readers will explore the ways musicians have attempted to address social, political or historical events and issues through song. Through relevant research and exclusive interviews done for this book, the thoughts of prominent musicians noted for songs promoting social consciousness and selfawareness - including Ian MacKaye, Henry Rollins and Aaron Bedard–are shared. The views of teachers and students in terms of the connections between music and the social studies as well as their inclinations to using music in social studies classrooms are also prominently addressed. Additionally, the book furnishes readers with a practical guide to using music in the social studies classroom. Through explanation of four models for using music in the classroom, readers gain relevant ideas useful for a wide variety of instructional methodologies. And finally, the authors delve into three of the most enduring themes in American history and social studies curricula: race, labor and class. Through an examination of these topics, within the framework of music, readers are given the opportunity to discern the way music has manifested in each of these topics. Readers will also enjoy lesson plans and annotated playlists associated with each of these topics.

CONTENTS
Preface: LET THE MUSIC PLAY! Harnessing the Power of Music for History and Social Studies Classrooms. I: Exploring the Connection between Music and the Social Studies. II: Forging a Connection between Music and the Social Studies. III: The Struggle for Racial Equality in America: A Brief History. IV:The Struggle for Racial Equality in America: The Music and Teacher Resources. V: Labor and Class in America: Salt of the Earth. VI: Labor and Class in America: From the Wobblies to the Punks. VII: Conclusion. References. Index.