Rockin' the Schools: K-4/5-8 Roots of Rock and Roll: An American Journey

TEACHERS SHOULD PREVIEW ALL CONTENT PRIOR TO SHARING WITH STUDENTS.

Target Grade Level: K-4 / 5-8

This research guide serves as a resource for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's Education Department course, The Roots of Rock and Roll: An American Journey. For additional information on the course and for more teacher resources, see http://rockhall.com/education/inside-the-classroom/rockin/roots/.

In the 1950s a new and electrifying musical style called rock and roll swept the airwaves and grabbed the hearts of teenagers across the United States.  This revolutionary music actually grew from strong roots in older styles such as blues, gospel, country, and rhythm and blues.  Students examine classic video performances and recordings to see how musicians brought these earlier musical styles together and connected diverse aspects of American culture.  The Roots of Rock and Roll is offered at two different grade levels.  K-4 students will enjoy singing along with the Rock Hall education ensemble and using U.S. maps to explore various geographical regions of the United States, focusing on several key cities where the roots of rock and roll flourished.  Students in grades 5-8 will dig deeper into the cultural meanings behind this music and analyze musical characteristics of each style.

These research databases can be accessed within the Library and Archives.

Grade Level K-4

These resources, pulled from class discussion and selected from the Library and Archives' collections, will help you to:

• Identify musicians who represent diverse communities and varied regions that contribute to music heritage in the United States and the development of rock and roll.
• Perform varied styles and forms of popular music representing the roots of rock and roll.
• Give examples of people, products, and ideas that move from place to place and make an impact on American culture.

Grade Level 5-8

These resources, pulled from class discussion and selected from the Library and Archives' collections, will help you to:

• Identify musicians who represent diverse communities and varied regions that contribute to music heritage in the United States and the development of rock and roll.
• Describe varied styles and forms of popular music representing the roots of rock and roll.
• Give examples of people, products, and ideas that move from place to place and make an impact on American culture.

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