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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yankee Doodle... More than Just a Catchy Tune

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students investigate the history of patriotic music and practice singing the tunes with classmates.  In this U.S. History lesson plan, students examine lyrics of the traditional song "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and discuss the differing...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Patriotic Music: Three Cheers for the Red, White & Blue

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the patriotic songs of the 1940's and compare them to those of today. They identify elements that classify a song as patriotic, listen to several examples and complete Venn diagrams contrasting different examples.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Marching to a New Tune

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about John Philip Sousa's last composition, "The Library of Congress March," which was performed for the first time in 2003.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Lyrical Legacy: 400 Years of American Song and Poetry

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Patriotic Melodies

For Students 9th - 10th
The Library of Congress site profiles 26 American patriotic songs with commentary, supporting visual material, and recordings of "America the Beautiful," "Fanfare for the Common Man" and the like.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America Singing: Nineteenth Century Song Sheets

For Students 9th - 10th
Song sheets, which containedonly lyrics, were a popular form of printed music. The Library of Congress holds over 4,000 of these from the 1800s that can be viewed online.
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Handout
PBS

Classics for Kids: John Phillip Sousa

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short biography of John Phillip Sousa (1854-1932 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Patriotic Melodies

For Students 9th - 10th
The stories behind patriotic songs that have become part of American musical culture, such as "Anchors Away," "Over There," "U.S. Air Force Song," and "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again." Drill into the site to find lyrics, listen to...
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Handout
Songwriters Hall of Fame

Songwriters Hall of Fame: John Philip Sousa

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about John Philip Sousa.
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Graphic
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Famous Americans: John Philip Sousa

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn brief information on John Philip Sousa, famous American band leader who is featured on the two cent postage stamp.