Art & Music
Teaching Activity PDFs
School Days: Hail, Hail, Rock ‘n’ Roll!
Teaching Activity PDF. By Rick Mitchell. 10 pages.
Description of a course on the history of music in the U.S.
Art & Music, Civil Rights Movements, Racism & Racial Identity
Lewis Hine’s Photographs
Teaching Activity PDF. By Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson. 4 pages.
Using photographs to spark creative writing and critical thinking about child labor issues and social justice.
Art & Music, Immigration, Labor, Media, Social Class, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements
Stenciling Dissent: A Student Project Draws on the Language of the Streets
Teaching Activity PDF. By Andrew Reed. 5 pages.
Teaching activity connects students to history of art as a means of protest and gives them opportunity and skills to create their own stencil with a powerful message.
Art & Music, Civil Rights Movements, Individuals in US History, Laws & Citizen Rights, Organizing
Bound for the Rio Grande: Traitors—Or Martyrs
Reading in PDF and music video. Reading by Milton Meltzer. 1974. Song by David Rovics.
The story of the San Patricio Battalion, Irish-American soldiers who deserted the US Army during the US-Mexican War and fought on the side of the Mexicans.
Lawrence, 1912: The Singing Strike
Teaching Activity PDF. By Bill Bigelow and Norm Diamond. 18 pages.
Role play on the 1912 Bread and Roses strike in Lawrence, Mass.
Five Years After the Levees Broke: Bearing Witness Through Poetry
Teaching Activity PDF. By Renée Watson. 7 pages.
A teacher’s reflection on the power of poetry to spark critical discussion and reflection on current issues of inequality surrounding disaster response in the United States.
African American, Art & Music, Environment & Food, Language Arts, Laws & Citizen Rights, Media, Racism & Racial Identity
Remembering Mahmoud Darwish
Teaching Activity PDF. By Naomi Shihab Nye and Linda Christensen. 4 pages.
A teaching idea utilizing famous Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish’s work to inspire students.
Teaching Guides
Strangers In Their Own Country: A Curriculum Guide On South Africa
Teaching Guide. By Bill Bigelow. 1985. 116 pages.
Lessons on apartheid in South Africa and the global anti-apartheid movement.
Audio
Ballads of Sacco and Vanzetti
Audio CD. Songs by Woody Guthrie, produced by Moses Asch. 1996.
Songs about the murder trial of Sacco and Vanzetti.
Ella Jenkins and a Union of Friends Pulling Together
Audio CD. By Ella Jenkins and friends. 1999. 47 minutes and 18 -page booklet.
Labor songs for children ages 4 – 12.
Get It From The Drums: A History of Protest and Protest Songs of the 1960s and 70s
Audio CD and Book. By Wynne Alexander. 2006.
Books: Fiction
Hip Hop Speaks to Children: a celebration of poetry with a beat
Book – Fiction. Edited by Nikki Giovanni. 2008. 80 pages and CD.
A celebration of poetry with a beat. Includes CD with selected recordings of poems and historical background.
Books: Non-Fiction
Artists in Times of War
Book – Nonfiction. By Howard Zinn. 2004. 112 pages.
In this collection of four essays, Zinn writes about the unique role of artists, activists, and publishers in working toward change.
Caribbean Connections: The Dominican Republic
Book – Non-fiction and Fiction. Edited by Gallin, Glasser, Santana. 2005. 250 pages.
Reader-friendly overview of the history, politics and culture of the fourth largest Latino community in the United States.
Art & Music, Immigration, Latino, Sports, US Foreign Policy, Women's History, World History/Global Studies
Celebrate People’s History: The Poster Book of Resistance and Revolution
Book – Non-fiction. Edited by Josh MacPhee. 2010. 256 pages.
A visual representation of people’s history through political posters.
Firebrands: Portraits from the Americas
Book – Non-fiction. By Shaun Slifer and Bec Young. 2010. 192 pages.
Images and short bios of 78 activists from throughout U.S. history and the Americas for middle school to adult.
I and I Bob Marley
Book – Non-fiction. By Tony Medina. Illustrations by Jesse Joshua Watson. 48 pages. 2009.
The life of Bob Marley told through poems and illustrations.
I See the Rhythm
Book – Non-fiction. By Toyomi Igus and Michele Wood. 2005. 32 pages. Ages 6+.
A lyrical voyage through 500 years of African American music, from its roots in Africa to contemporary hip-hop.
Murals: Walls That Sing
Book – Non-fiction. By George Ancona. 2003. 48 pages.
Beautiful photo-essay of murals from all over the United States, primarily in Latino communities.
No More! Stories and Songs of Slave Resistance
Book – Non-fiction. By Doreen Rappaport. Illustrated by Shane W. Evans. 2005. 64 pages.
Picture book for upper elementary/middle school on the many forms of resistance to slavery.
Nobody Gonna Turn Me ‘Round: Stories and Songs of the Civil Rights Movement
Book – Non-fiction. By Doreen Rappaport. Illustrated by Shane W. Evans. 2008. 64 pages.
Stories and songs for upper elementary from the Civil Rights Movement from 1955 to 1965.
African American, Art & Music, Civil Rights Movements, Labor, Organizing
Rise Up Singing
Book – Non-fiction. By Peter Blood and Annie Patterson. 288 pages.
Social justice songs on many themes.
Robeson in Spain
Book – Non-fiction. By The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives. 2009. 25 pages.
Booklet in graphic novel format on Paul Robeson’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War.
African American, Art & Music, Racism & Racial Identity, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, World History/Global Studies
This Land is Your Land
Book – Non-fiction. By Woody Guthrie. 2008. 42 pages.
The full version of Woody Guthrie’s famous song, illustrated for young children.
We Shall Overcome: A Song That Changed the World
Book – Non-fiction. By Stuart Stotts. Illustrated by Terrance Cummings. 2010. 64 pages and a CD.
History of the song from the Civil Rights Movement and other struggles, We Shall Overcome.
African American, Art & Music, Civil Rights Movements, Individuals in US History, Organizing
Which Side Are You On? The Story of A Song
Book – Non-fiction. By George Ella Lyon. Artwork by Christopher Cardinale. 2011. 40 pages.
This children’s book tells the story of a classic union song written in 1931 and the harsh conditions under which it was written.
Films
E.Y. “Yip” Harburg: Brother Can You Spare a Dime
Film clip. E.Y. “Yip” Harburg’s “Brother Can You Spare a Dime” (1932) is performed by Allison Moorer. From Voices of a People’s History of the United States.
Sam Cooke: A Change is Gonna Come
Film clip. Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” (1964), is performed by Allison Moorer. From Voices of a People’s History of the United States.
African American, Art & Music, Democracy & Citizenship, Laws & Citizen Rights
Picture Books
Hip Hop Speaks to Children: a celebration of poetry with a beat
Book – Fiction. Edited by Nikki Giovanni. 2008. 80 pages and CD.
A celebration of poetry with a beat. Includes CD with selected recordings of poems and historical background.
I and I Bob Marley
Book – Non-fiction. By Tony Medina. Illustrations by Jesse Joshua Watson. 48 pages. 2009.
The life of Bob Marley told through poems and illustrations.
I See the Rhythm
Book – Non-fiction. By Toyomi Igus and Michele Wood. 2005. 32 pages. Ages 6+.
A lyrical voyage through 500 years of African American music, from its roots in Africa to contemporary hip-hop.
Murals: Walls That Sing
Book – Non-fiction. By George Ancona. 2003. 48 pages.
Beautiful photo-essay of murals from all over the United States, primarily in Latino communities.
No More! Stories and Songs of Slave Resistance
Book – Non-fiction. By Doreen Rappaport. Illustrated by Shane W. Evans. 2005. 64 pages.
Picture book for upper elementary/middle school on the many forms of resistance to slavery.
Nobody Gonna Turn Me ‘Round: Stories and Songs of the Civil Rights Movement
Book – Non-fiction. By Doreen Rappaport. Illustrated by Shane W. Evans. 2008. 64 pages.
Stories and songs for upper elementary from the Civil Rights Movement from 1955 to 1965.
African American, Art & Music, Civil Rights Movements, Labor, Organizing
This Land is Your Land
Book – Non-fiction. By Woody Guthrie. 2008. 42 pages.
The full version of Woody Guthrie’s famous song, illustrated for young children.
Which Side Are You On? The Story of A Song
Book – Non-fiction. By George Ella Lyon. Artwork by Christopher Cardinale. 2011. 40 pages.
This children’s book tells the story of a classic union song written in 1931 and the harsh conditions under which it was written.
Posters
Celebrate People’s History: The Poster Book of Resistance and Revolution
Book – Non-fiction. Edited by Josh MacPhee. 2010. 256 pages.
A visual representation of people’s history through political posters.
Songs and Poems
Battle of Blair Mountain
Song. By David Rovics. 2003.
Ballad about the West Virginia Coal Mine War of 1920-1921.
Bread and Roses
Song. Reprinted from Labor Notes 2007.
Links issues of economic secruity and quality of life, also addresses the role of women in the struggle for justice.
Chavez Ravine: a record by Ry Cooder
Songs. By Ry Cooder. 2005.
The story of the Chicano community bulldozed to pave the way for the Dodger Stadium in Santa Monica, told through bilingual songs.
E.Y. “Yip” Harburg: Brother Can You Spare a Dime
Film clip. E.Y. “Yip” Harburg’s “Brother Can You Spare a Dime” (1932) is performed by Allison Moorer. From Voices of a People’s History of the United States.
Hills of Tennessee
Song. By David Rovics. 2005.
Eye-opening song that tells of the perils of mountain top removal.
Occupy Wall Street – Song by David Rovics
Song. By David Rovics. 2011.
A ballad of the Occupy Movement with a high energy beat.
Song for Hugh Thompson
Song. By David Rovics.
Ballad about Hugh Thompson who tried to defend the people of My Lai, Vietnam.
Art & Music, Individuals in US History, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements
Union Makes Us Strong
Song. By David Rovics. 2010.
The benefits of a union told through historic examples in a ballad.
Union Songs
Website. Developed by Mark Gregory.
Over 700 union songs in an easy to search and regularly updated online collection with lyrics and audio.
Which Side Are You On? The Story of A Song
Book – Non-fiction. By George Ella Lyon. Artwork by Christopher Cardinale. 2011. 40 pages.
This children’s book tells the story of a classic union song written in 1931 and the harsh conditions under which it was written.
The World Turned Upside Down
Song. By Leon Rosselson.
The story of the 1649 revolt of the dispossessed in England who fought against the vested interest of the propertied. A vision of society that is cooperative and in harmony with the earth.
Spanish/Bilingual
Chavez Ravine: a record by Ry Cooder
Songs. By Ry Cooder. 2005.
The story of the Chicano community bulldozed to pave the way for the Dodger Stadium in Santa Monica, told through bilingual songs.
Websites
Union Songs
Website. Developed by Mark Gregory.
Over 700 union songs in an easy to search and regularly updated online collection with lyrics and audio.
Woody Guthrie: Official Website
Website.
Extensive and well-organized collection of Woody Guthrie’s songs, biography, archives, and more.
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