Going Ape and Having a Cow:

Music

To download this lesson in PDF format, click here.

The below activities can be done in conjunction with each other or independently as time allows.

Activity #1

1. Have students choose one song from the early 1950s (1953 or earlier) from the CD provided in the discovery kit.

2. Students should analyze the song using Music Analysis Worksheet, focusing on the sentiment (theme) and lyrics of the song.

3. Lyrics for all the songs on the CD can be found in the Song Lyrics of the 1950s guide

4. Students should then choose a song from the later 1950s (1957 or later) either from the CD or other billboard hits: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/yearend_chart_index.jsp

http://www.lyricsdownload.com/ (for lyrics)

5. Students should analyze later song using Music Analysis Worksheet.

6. Upon completion of analysis, have students write an in-class timed essay noting how music changed from the beginning of the decade. Students should provide evidence from the songs in the form of lyrics, instrumentation, and theme.

Activity #2

1. Have students choose a song from the 1950s (can be from the CD provided or of own choosing: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/yearend_chart_index.jsp)

2. Students should analyze song using Music Analysis Worksheet, focusing on the sentiment (theme) behind the song.

3. Students then choose a song written/produced within the last five years that shares the same sentiment (theme) as the song chosen from the 1950s.

4. Students should analyze the modern song using the Music Analysis Worksheet.

5. Students can access lyrics at http://www.lyricsdownload.com/ for most popular songs as well as other websites.

6. Using the Music Compare/Contrast Graphic Organizer, have students brainstorm differences/similarities in instrumentation, lyrics, etc… between their two chosen songs.

7. Have students write a one-two page compare/contrast essay of their two songs.

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