I'm a little too young to remember the Beatle's appearance on Ed Sullivan, but I've heard about it and watched the footage so many times, sometimes I think I remember it! I am definitely not old enough to have experienced Fraz Liszt, but I am familiar with the piece Jim Whiting attached, and I am guessing quite a few students may be surprised to recognize it, too. Music is the universal language. Use it to get your kids thinking! |
English/Language Arts
Explore Text Structures: Compare/contrast
Social Studies
Explore music as a cultural characteristic
Music
Explore the history of Rock Music
Research Skills
Explore the influence of advertising and mass media
Explore Text Structures: Compare/contrast
- Author Whiting compares the musical sensation, the Beatles with the 19th century pianist Franz Liszt. Have students explore the text structure and develop a list of similarities and differences. Have student explore other possible topics that would benefit from utilizing a compare/contrast format to convey information.
Social Studies
Explore music as a cultural characteristic
- This Minute reveals that “rock stars” have a history that goes much further back than students might suspect. Have students explore how music reflects other cultural traits of a society. How are politics and current popular culture revealed in the music of a time period? How can you explore music with an historian’s lens?
- The Ed Sullivan Show helped propel the Beatles global popularity beyond anything previously seen. But the reality is that American audiences were already well aware of the Beatles before their infamous appearance on the American television. Use this Minute to discuss how media formats affect people’s perceptions and tastes in different historical periods. Conduct a “what if” a group like the Beatles appeared today? What would their path to fame look like? How would that be different from the experience in the 1960s?
Music
Explore the history of Rock Music
- Take this opportunity to look at the rise of rock and roll. Compare it to the rise of classical music.
- What a tremendous opportunity to introduce students to classical music. Liszt is great, but use this as a springboard to the myriad of classical composers and performers to expand your student’s knowledge and appreciation of the vast variety of musical expression.
Research Skills
Explore the influence of advertising and mass media
- Use this Minute to introduce students to the idea of sponsorship in the media. Explore some news sites and see if students can distinguish between what is “paid” content and what is news. Teach students to look for words that clue them into what might be purchase promotional content - things like “sponsored” or “promoted” content are two clues. Start a list of things that students should look for when searching for unbiased, quality information.
© Karen Sterling, 2017 - May be used for educational purposes without written permission