A dash of social studies and a scoop of music

These two music lessons from Merritt Raum Flexman integrate easily into collaborative fourth and fifth grade social studies units.

In Freedom Songs of the Civil Rights Movement, students will listen to freedom songs recorded during this turbulent time in American history. They will write personal reactions to the music and lyrics while exploring the historical events where these songs were sung.

Students will listen to and analyze songs from two North Carolina tribes in this lesson plan about Native American music. While doing so, they also learn about the Cherokee and the Haliwa-Saponi. Students are engaged and active throughout the lesson with singing, moving, and playing instruments.