Overview:
James Brown, influential American singer, songwriter, arranger, and dancer, was born in a segregated South during the Great Depression. From extremely humble beginnings, he went on to become one of the most well-known and influential musicians of his generation. In this lesson, students will trace James Brown’s rise from “Little Junior” in Depression-era Augusta, Georgia, to the “Minister of the New Super Heavy Funk” and create a collage that captures his impact on American music.
Grade Level:
9-12
Time Allotment:
Four 50-minute class sessions
Subject Matter:
Music, Language Arts
Learning Objectives:
Students will be able to do the following:
- synthesize information from a variety of sources
- create a collage that captures how the essence of a time period is reflected in James Brown’s songs
- compose an essay that explains how “everybody’s got soul”
Standards:
National Standards:
MCREL MUSIC, Level 4, Standard 7
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=11&StandardID=7
Understands the relationship between music, history, and culture.
MCREL LANGUAGE ARTS, Level 4, Standard 2
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=7&StandardID=2
Uses the stylistic and rhetorical aspects of writing.
MCREL THINKING AND REASONING, Level 4, Standard 2
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=21&StandardID=2
Understands and applies basic principles of logic and reasoning.
MCREL LANGUAGE ARTS, Level 4, Standard 8
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=7&StandardID=8
Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes.
MCREL LANGUAGE ARTS, Level 4, Standard 2
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=19&StandardID=2
Knows the characteristics and uses of computer software programs.
MCREL WORKING WITH OTHERS, Level 4, Standard 1
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=22&StandardID=1
Contributes to the overall effort of a group.
