Southern United States folk music is rich in not only sound, but in voices of the past. Folk songs were created by working class individuals who described aspects of their life in connection with societal issues and events. Folk songs, now digitally archived, can serve as primary historical sources that can be used to enhance the secondary social…

A theme issue of the Iowa State Historical Department magazine focuses on elementary readings and activities about prehistoric Iowa. The issue contains a total of 16 articles. In "History Makers," a ten-year-old recounts his family's discovery of a mammoth bone on their farm. "Imagine a Camping Trip Long Ago" looks at how the…

The third volume of a newsletter for integrating folk music appreciation into elementary and secondary social studies, literature, and humanities courses, this publication contains three issues of the newsletter which together provide a compilation of folksongs from various historical periods and cultures. The first issue contains an article on…

Folk music is an excellent resource for learning American history. As the voice of common people, folk music reminds us that history is not merely a body of chronological information, but the composite experience of generations. (Author/RK)

Folksongs can be used with all students at all grade levels. Teacher guidelines are provided and three musical themes--whaling in New England, the California Gold Rush, and loggers and lumbering--are used to illustrate how to use folksongs in the classroom. (RM)

A theme issue of the Iowa State Historical Department magazine ("The Goldfinch") focuses on elementary readings and activities about Iowa prairie life. A total of 13 articles is included. In "History Makers," eight letters recount student and teacher prairie experiences. "The Prairie: Problems or Paradise?" recounts…

Provides an annotated bibliography of Web sites on the American West, the Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, Gold Rush, Donner Party, mountain men and the fur trade, Native Americans, cowboys, and western folklore. Lists related books, activity books, and CD-ROMs on cowboys, migration, and settling. (PEN)

The achievements and fictional exploits of Davy (or David) Crockett have entered the American imagination--it is difficult to distinguish what he did and said from what has been attributed to him. And it is also difficult to discuss the influence of the frontier on the American temperament without reference to David Crockett. This lesson plan…

Develops a lesson explaining the farm tenancy system in which displaced farmers work on large landowners' farms. Describes various forms of tenancy: small farmer, cash tenant, share tenant, sharecropper, and migrant worker. Provides lyrics from eight folk songs and lists questions to help students retrieve information about farm tenancy in the…

This teacher's manual introduces educators to the History Channel's, "Save Our Sounds" project, a part of "Save Our History" project. The manual features the multilayered story of the U.S. recorded sound heritage. The manual provides opportunities for team teaching and enrichment studies in history, social studies, music,…

The teacher's guide contains 25 K-12 lessons which illustrate the activities of all ethnic groups in Wyoming. The Basque, British, Eastern European, German-speaking, Greek, and Italian immigrants are highlighted. Titles include "Costumes by Flannelboard,""National Basque Week,""Dolls From Our Heritage,""Cook-In/Dance-In Ethnic…

Activities and objectives for helping elementary school pupils develop a multiethnic and multicultural orientation toward American history and culture are presented in this teacher's guide. The major objective was to develop an interdisciplinary educational program which would influence young children in a positive way as they developed life-long…

This document contains three issues of a journal for elementary and secondary teachers which provide materials and teaching ideas for integrating folk music appreciation into social studies, literature, and humanities courses. The first issue focuses on songs of the West. It includes 10 songs on the pioneers, the Indians, and the frontier. Also…

The second volume of a newsletter for integrating folk music into elementary and secondary social studies, literature, and humanities courses, this publication contains three issues of the newsletter which together offer a compilation of folksongs from various historical periods and cultures. The first issue of this volume contains miscellaneous…

Provides lessons plans for teaching urban history through folk rhymes written by Chinese immigrants describing their early experiences in the United States. Includes eight folk rhymes from the early 1900s. Provides suggestions for teaching objectives, class activities, and classroom questions to enrich students' understanding of ethnic cultures…