African American History as told through African American Music

This curriculum unit will present lessons to teach African American history through the medium of African American music for first to fourth grades. It will explore the impact of African American music as a vehicle of motivation and change throughout the American legacy, which spans from African roots through today’s Hip-Hop music and culture. There are nine lessons in this curriculum with a wide range of media and activities from which to choose. These lessons will fulfill Pennsylvania State Standards in all four disciplines: literacy, math, science and social studies. The objective of this curriculum is that students will be able to identify various genres of African and African American music and the mutual impact with American history.