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Beth Cooper

Elective Class: History of American Music
Universal Access: Grouping Strategies

6th Grade Language Arts and Ancient Civilizations

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year!  I am pleased to be your teacher this year, and look forward to having an amazing sixth grade experience.

Wide varieties of teaching methods are used in this class to encourage historical and critical thinking that will help student retention of social science and language arts curriculum.  Social science disciplines covered in this class include history, economics, geography, philosophy, sociology and political science.  Language arts disciplines covered are reading of literature and informational text, language skills, speaking and listening, and four domains of writing.  Students will view and listen to lectures, watch short video segments and documentaries, take Cornell notes on textbook lessons, analyze pictures, examine maps, use mnemonic devices to memorize information, analyze primary source documents, read novels, biographies, and non-fiction, and create projects that reinforce critical thinking.  The History-Social Science Framework, California Content Standards and Common Core State Standards will guide all instruction throughout this class.

Need something to do?  Read a book!

Announcements

9/4/23: Non Student Day (Labor Day)

9/11/23: Non Student Day (Data Day for Teachers)

9/18/23: Minimum Day

9/25-9/28/23: Family Conferences (Minimum Day Dismissal)

Upcoming Events

School Dance: Permission Slips and $3.00 Donation Due

Leadership Applications Coming U[!

Sign ups for Hope Ambassadors

Parent/Teacher Conferences: 9/2/23

Fire Drill: August 8

Homework Assignments

Class Documents

Additional Information if Needed

History of American Music

Students will study the roots of American music, beginning with the coded messages of the antebellum South, leading to the Great Migration and the invention of Jazz. This led to the advent of Country/Western Music and then the evolution of early Rock and Roll. Rock and Roll evolved into different genres of rock music, and it became full circle with the advent of Hip Hop, Rap, and Conscious Music.

Weekly Plans:

Week 1:

Students will study the roots of American Music based in the Spirituals and Coded Songs of the Antebellum Era.

Week 2:

Students will learn about the Great Migration and the invention of Jazz.

Week 3:

Students will understand how the influence of Jazz inspired Western and Country Music and explore the different genres.

Week 4:

Students will learn about the early pioneers of Rock and Roll and the impact it had on American Life.

Week 5:

Students will study and research the beginnings of Rap and Hip Hop Music.

Week 6:

Students will relate to and connect how the origins of American music led to social consciousness music and protest music of today.

Universal Access

Our primary focus will be to develop foundational skills in Language Arts; reinforce what is being taught in Language Arts; (3) provide opportunities for extension and acceleration in Language Arts

What is Universal Access?