General Music/Music Appreciation Curriculum: Music & Culture in the U.S.

This complete curriculum examines the popular music of each decade, how that music connected with the time period, and how music is important in our lives. It is designed for two full semesters, or as a "choose your own adventure" if you have a shorter duration with students. It also provides a fast-paced class period (daily listening- decades- projects) and allows for a great deal of choice and voice for the students for maximum engagement.

The following essential questions are answered through daily listening, decades slides presentations, projects, and activities:

What style of music was popular at this time?

Who were some of the popular artists and their songs?

What was going on in the world and our country at this time?

How did people listen to music?

What was the fashion of this time?

What inventions or other firsts came during this decade?

How does music connect to your life?

This material is designed specifically for grades 6-9, but many elements would also be appropriate for grades 5-12. The curriculum is organized in a Google Site with all materials linked and in a Google Drive folder. No prep needed other than reviewing materials and printing copies if needed!

Purchase includes:

Daily listening playlist/slide deck with links

Daily listening log (options for reproducible or digital, fun facts for each song, and I went through song links again to confirm school-appropriateness!)

12 Decades slide presentations, one for each decade 1900-today (ranging from 20-40 pages)- interactive with reflection questions throughout each slide deck! Make a copy for each student to complete or use them as class discussion questions!

A question set for each decade which can be used as a worksheet or quiz/test

Decades notes templates

20 projects (some aligned with specific decades)

17 activities

Printable workbook

Blookets and Kahoots to use as review for each decade

*NEW for '23-'24: Several new projects; addition of 2020 decade; careers unit; and of course, updated links and workbook!

All items are organized on a Google Site as well as in a Google Drive. The address for the Google Site is included in the course outline. Only 30 files are allowed on a listing, so all activities and templates can be found on the Google Site.

A complete course outline (including artists covered) can be found here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UidoXuatC4svVmyRWyBmW5nBBq7mp4ww/view?usp=sharing

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions! I am happy to hop on a Zoom to show you around the site, or help you customize a plan for your situation!
Please reach out to me at: bethdaviesmusic@gmail.com

A little background on the development of this course:

I am the district K-12 music curriculum facilitator in addition to teaching middle school band in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Several years ago it became apparent that some of our middle school students needed a non-performing music class option due to behavior issues and interest, but we had no funds to purchase any curriculum, nor was there any pre-existing general music curriculum in our district for middle school aged students. Thus began the three year (and continuing!) project of this course. Nearly all items have been "tested" with my students. My school demographic is 55% free and reduced, 30% minority (25% black), 20% special education. The students in my General Music class, however, are primarily minority, free/reduced, and at-risk/special ed. The kids have really enjoyed this coursework and I have sincerely enjoyed teaching this class as much as my band classes because of the response from students. Kids who are not successful in any of their other classes are successful here. I sincerely hope this helps anyone who is in the same jam as I was three years ago. :)