A Social Studies/Cultural
Diversity Lesson for ABE Level
As part of a social studies/cultural diversity curriculum, identify and explore the significant role African-American culture has played in developing various music styles.
• Learners will gain confidence in using CD-ROM encyclopedias and special topic CD's to search for specific information. Students will reinforce previously taught Internet skills.
• Learners will use to Internet to explore musical styles and artists.
2. List of activities:
• Learners will brainstorm to develop a list of the various music genres that have been influenced by African-American culture.
• Learners will employ teamwork to obtain information
• Learners will practice navigating CD-ROM encyclopedias, special topic CD-ROM, and the Internet to obtain information.
• Learners will use the word processor to write a paragraph for each music style their group is searching.
• Learners will gain experience in presenting their information to the group.
3. Evaluation:
Success will be determined by each team's completion of their three assigned music styles.
4. Procedures:
• Instructor begins the discussion with the statement: The
African-American culture has influenced American music more significantly than
any other group, true or false?
• Learners debate this and brainstorm the music styles that African-Americans have played a significant role in popularizing. Some styles that should emerge are: gospel, jazz, blues, rock-n-roll, African drumming, reggae, rap, hiphop, soul.
• Learners are grouped into teams of three; each group is assigned three of the music styles. Instructor should make assignments so that each team has a mix of old and new styles. It's OK if some overlap occurs among the teams.
• Teams take turns using Encarta, Infopedia, Groliers Encyclopedias and the History of American Music to search for information on their styles. Learners should find at least one famous name, one famous song and one famous place associated with each style. Encourage them to jot down any other facts that make that style unique or interesting.
• Learners may also search the Internet (previously taught) to obtain information, especially for rap and hip-hop info.
• Using a word processor (previously taught), each team member will write 1-2 paragraphs on one of the styles, making sure all three of their styles get written about.
• Encourage learners to bring in music (audio CD's can be played on computer) that demonstrates their style as part of their presentations. (It also helps if the instructor has a large music collection)
• At the next session, each learner reads his paragraphs and plays a selection demonstrating that style. It's nice if the instructor has the learners present the styles in the order that they evolved.
• To conclude the activity, group can discuss how the styles are similar and what make each unique. Another topic for discussion is how/why a style becomes mainstreamed.
5. Timeline:
Two or three 2-hour sessions, preferably with a few days between so learners can locate music.
6. Materials Needed:
CD-ROM Encyclopedias and any other CD's with music info.
Internet access
Word processor
Music Selections (Encyclopedias may have some clips)