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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sam Cooke - Lesson 1

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students identify the impact of the social injustices and Civil Rights movement on Cooke's life and career. They create lyrics to a familiar song that express a personal struggle or concern.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VH1 Legends Sam Cooke Lesson 2

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the reasons and controversy regarding Sam Cooke's transition from gospel to pop.
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Website
Other

Famous Singers

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical profiles of famous singers in major musical genres. Includes photo and links to snippets of their songs.
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Website
Other

Black Gospel Music: The History of Gospel Music

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explores the history of Gospel music, including how gospel music began and some of the various incarnations it has gone through.
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Handout
Classical Bands

Classicbands: Sam Cooke

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn more about the "soulful" life of gospel-pop singer Sam Cooke (1931-1965), one of the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Cooke, Sam (1931 1964)

For Students 9th - 10th
Sam Cooke's influence on music, as the pioneer in cross-over from gospel to rhythm and blues, is described in this encyclopedia entry. His music was important to the African-American identity in the Civil Rights movement.
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Article
English Club

English Club: History of Soul Music

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn the history of soul music from its origins in gospel music, through Motown and Memphis Soul, to contemporary rhythm and blues. The site includes three videos: Sam Cooke singing "A Change is Gonna Come," from 1964, with images from...
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sam Cooke

For Students 9th - 10th
The Rock & Roll of Fame in Cleveland profiles the life and work of soul singer Sam Cooke.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Sam Cooke

For Students 9th - 10th
Short biography of influential black vocalist Sam Cooke.
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Graphic
Curated OER

'Sam Cooke: Portrait of a Legend 1951 1964'

For Students 9th - 10th
This NPR Morning Edition profile features text and sound to celebrate the life and work of soul singer Sam Cooke whose string of hits includes "Cupid," "Wonderful World," "Chain Gang," and "Twistin' the Night Away."
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Graphic
Curated OER

Sam Cooke

For Students 9th - 10th
This NPR Morning Edition profile features text and sound to celebrate the life and work of soul singer Sam Cooke whose string of hits includes "Cupid," "Wonderful World," "Chain Gang," and "Twistin' the Night Away."
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Graphic
Curated OER

Sam Cooke, Singing

For Students 9th - 10th
This NPR Morning Edition profile features text and sound to celebrate the life and work of soul singer Sam Cooke whose string of hits includes "Cupid," "Wonderful World," "Chain Gang," and "Twistin' the Night Away."
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Graphic
Curated OER

Sam Cooke

For Students Pre-K - 1st
An image of Sam Cooke.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Sam Cooke

For Students Pre-K - 1st
An image of Sam Cooke.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Sam Cooke

For Students Pre-K - 1st
An image of Sam Cooke.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Sam Cooke

For Students Pre-K - 1st
An image of Sam Cooke.