Curated OER
Writing Lyrics
Learners examine the themes and structure of a bluegrass song and identify the common themes in bluegrass music. They practice songwriting by rewriting the lyrics of "Oh! Susanna" as a bluegrass tune.
Curated OER
The Songcatcher
Pupils read Sharyn McCrumb's and Maggie Greenwald's versions of "Songcatcher" and use them as a springboard to explore the heritage and traditions of Appalachian folk music. They review Internet sources, conduct research and write reports.
Curated OER
Folk
Students read about Woody Guthrie and how folk music often tells of events of the time and can be effective protest music.
Curated OER
Two by Two Guitars!
Students play three simple chords on guitar while singing American folk songs.
Curated OER
English Folk Music
In this English folk music worksheet, 8th graders read about the characteristics, instruments, and purpose of traditional music. They read about the history of folk music and contemporary uses of this type of music. They answer 10 short...
Curated OER
Folk Games
Students listen to the poem, "De Cunjah Man" and discover how and why this language came into existence. They are introduced to the idea that songs are a way of expressing human feelings and name a song that makes them feel happy or sad.
Curated OER
Musical Impressions
Students listen to two examples of bluegrass music and try to identify the instruments that they hear and the subtle differences between the two songs. They describe their impressions of the selections, then conclude by comparing and...
Curated OER
Folk Songs, Instruments of the Orchestra
Second graders study Folk Songs and instruments of the orchestra in these lessons. They recognize the difference between folk songs and classical music.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Introduction to Anglo American Folk Music
A complete, undergraduate-level online course on folk music.
York University
York University: African Canadian Online: Music
African-Canadian music encompasses the West Indies, Africa, the United States, South American and the Maritimes. This excellent reference resource provides information about the many kinds of music and the talented individuals who make it.
Library of Congress
Loc: California Gold: Northern California Folk Music: 1930s
This online presentation, California Gold: Northern California Folk Music from the Thirties, comprises 35 hours of folk music recorded in 12 languages representing numerous ethnic groups and 185 musicians. It includes sound recordings,...
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music
If teaching a unit about the history of popular music in America, this PBS web site supporting their four-part TV broadcast of a few years ago would make a great resource. Includes lesson plans and oral histories too.
Other
Baltimore Folk Music Society Main Page
This site gives information on folk music education and preservation attempts.
Other
California State University: Folklore: The Traditional Ballad Index
The traditional ballad index is an extensive bibliography of folk ballads. There is some summary information.
Other
Gateshead Council: Farne: Folk Archive Resource North East
This site is from a British project that has collected recordings of traditional Northumbrian folk music. In addition to the the music itself, you'll find plenty of information on instruments, types of folk music, composers and...
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Joni Mitchell
This is an excellent resource covering the life and musical career of Joni Mitchell. Be sure to check out the interactive timeline.
Other
Philadelphia Folksong Society
Information about festivals and about folk song background plus support for furthering education about folklore.
Other
Seattle Folklore Society
This site is for the preservation and awareness of folk art and music and links that will give more education to folklore.
Google Cultural Institute
Google Cultural Institute: Horn Violin
Pictorial narrative of the history of the Horn Violin and its usuage today primarily in the Bihor region of Rumania.
Other
The Folk Project
The site gives some background to folk music and dance. By clicking on the stars next to the folk artists names about half way down the page, information on each artist can be obtained.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Everyday Learning
Learning does not take place only in the classroom. Learning occurs naturally, every day! This KET collection uses original animation and wonderful, visual images to introduce basic concepts of math, science, social studies, art, and...
Library of Congress
Loc: Lyrical Legacy: 400 Years of American Song and Poetry
Explore eighteen American songs and poems each represented by an original primary source document, along with historical background information and, in many cases, sound recordings and alternate versions.
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania: Seeger, Pete
The University of Pennsylvania provides a brief biography of American folk icon, Pete Seeger. The biography focuses on Seeger's political stance as well as his music, since the two are so often intertwined. Article is by Richard Taskin,...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Music of the United States
Very thorough resource for music in the United States. History, genres, and references can be found on this site. Includes sample audio recordings.