In this unit you will be assigned a specific era. You will need to work within that era and discover a song that conveys a message regarding that time. Along with your song research, you will also be expected to research specific categories during that time. For example: fads/trends, famous people, movies, communication, medicine, science, catastrophes, etc.

When your research is done you will have completed the following components:
Chosen a song from era. ( Title, author, performer,date)
Lyrics written out on paper and overhead.
Analysis of song.
Interview
Category research
Oral presentation of song and category research
You will have specific criteria to meet in all above requirements. You will also have deadlines to meet along the way.

Research Resources
Use all Library resources provided and these Music & History Links.

Choosing a Song
The song that you choose must be from your decade.
This song must show a relation to the time period.
It must be appropriate to present in school.
There will be no swearing in the song, no exceptions.
Your song must be approved by the teacher.
You must have a copy of the song.
Lyrics written on paper and overhead.

Song Analysis
You need to present the meaning of your song and connect it to your decade.
Give three examples, actual lines from the song, that support your analysis.
Example: “ We Didn’t Start The Fire” is a song about major events in America’s history. The information covers a wide variety of topics dating from 1949-1969. It this song, Billy Joel discuss topics such as space exploration, murders, politics, foreign affairs, and more.
In the first stanza, Joel mentions Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray, South Pacific, Walter Winchell, Joe DiMaggio…..these names range in topic from past Presidents, movie star, foreign government, movie, news reporter, and famous athlete.
I feel as if Joel is telling us to look at our history. Look at what has gone on in the past, that this generation didn’t start all of these problems, it was always on-going. He does tell us that the current and future generations will continue to fight and fix it to make it better.

Category Research
You will need to research the following categories and report on at least 2 results per category:
Careers, Technology, Entertainment, Inventions, Medicine, Science, Sports, Transportation, World Events, Education, Movie/TV, Fashion, Music, Disasters.
You may add a category to this list. Be sure to check with me first.
You will write a factual paragraph on each finding. I will look closely to see that you are using your own words and not copying from your source.
You will cite your sources in a bibliography.

Interview
You will interview someone who lived during your decade. Your source must be able to give you some insight and personal experience regarding the topics that you are researching and the song that you have chosen.
You will create a questionnaire that will allow the subject to comment on a wide variety of topics.
You will need to get some background information on the subject. You may want to video tape, audio tape or use the computer to enhance the presentation of this interview.

Oral Presentation of Song
These are the criteria that you must meet when presenting your song.
* Have all necessary materials – song, lyrics on overhead, analysis, interview, category research
*Introduce song and singer
*Play song – students will follow on overhead
*Share analysis
*Share interview
*Share 3 categories
Non-verbal characteristics
*Voice
*Eye contact