NTFD_Lesson_Plan-Song_Analysis
NOT TOO FAR DISTANT LESSON GUIDE GRADES 7-12 Not Too Far Distant -Song Analysis Lesson Plan PROGRAM OVERVIEW LESSON STRUCTURE Nebraska State Education Standards Lesson Introduction Students examine the song There’s a Rainbow SS 7.4.4, in the Army, the official song of the Rainbow SS 8.4.2, 1) Listen or read. Play or show the lyrics to your school’s fight song or SS HS.4.1.b US, SS Division during WWII. Students use an cheer. If none are available, use the lyrics to Dear Old Nebraska U. analysis guide to dig deeper into the song to HS.4.1.c US, SS HS.4.4.b US, SS 2) Discuss. As a class, discuss: understand its meaning and historical HS.4.5.c WLD context. (To be paired with the play Not Too What is the tone or mood of the song? What is the purpose of this song? Far Distant by Becky Boesen) Lesson Details Why would someone write a song like this? Time Requirement: Recommended time: 3-5 minutes. LESSON OBJECTIVE 30 minutes Grade Level: Procedure Students will interpret a song by observing 7th - 12th grade 1) Explain. Tell students that soldiers in the Army are divided into groups. its parts and lyrics. Lesson Materials: Some groups create and sing songs to build morale and foster teamwork. Documents 1 and 2 2) Listen: Pass out Document 1: There’s a Rainbow in the Army, 1944. Play Song Analysis guide (2 copies) the song, There’s a Rainbow in the Army, aloud for the entire class. Ask PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE Video of There’s students to listen. a Rainbow in 3) Observe the song: Pass out one “Song Analysis Guide” for each student. A “Division” is a military term that refers to a the Army specific group of soldiers. Each division is led (optional) Answer the four questions in the “Observe the Song” section together. Video of Vict’ry 4) Analyze the song: Allow each student to complete the “Song Analysis by a “major-general” and includes 10,000- Polka (optional) 15,000 soldiers. Each division is broken into Video of Dear Guide.” Recommended time: 10-15 minutes Old Nebraska U small units of soldiers. (optional) 5) Repeat steps 2-4. Repeat steps 2-4 using Vict’ry Polka. (Optional) Recommended time: 10-20 minutes The 42nd Infantry Division, also known as the Exit Ticket Rainbow Division, fought in France and Germany during WWII. Clarence Williams 1) Create a WWII Playlist: If devices are available, allow students to research popular songs during WWII. Have students curate a WWII served in the Rainbow Division in the 1940s. playlist of songs that soldiers in the Rainbow Division may have listened to. Recommended time: 10-15 minutes Document 1: There’s a Rainbow in the Army, 1944 Song Lyrics: There’s a rainbow in the Army, Like a rainbow in the sky, Shining brightly in all the glory of a past that will not die. Let our voices show in our hearts know that the new rainbow will carry on. Hey! We’re the mighty Forty-Second and our fathers fought like men. In the battle now before us we will fight as they fought then. With our chins up high we will win or die for the rainbow in the Army, for the rainbow in the sky. “There’s a Rainbow in the Army” was the official marching song of the 42nd Infantry Division. Every soldier in the Rainbow Division was expected to Scan the QR code or click know this song. here to here a recording Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education of this song. Document 2: Vict’ry Polka, 1944 Song Lyrics: There's gonna be a hallelujah day When the boys have all come home to stay And the million bands begin to play We'll be dancing the victory polka And when we've lit that torch of liberty In each blacked-out land across the sea When a man can proudly say I'm free We'll be dancing the victory polka And we'll give a mighty cheer When the ration book is just a souvenir And we'll heave a mighty sigh When each girl can kiss the boy she kissed goodbye And they'll come marching down fifth avenue The United Nations in review When this lovely dream has all come true We'll be dancing the victory polka Dance, dance, dance the victory polka Source: National Museum of American History Join, join the merry throng Sing, sing, sing the victory polka Raise your voices loud and strong “Vict’ry Polka” was written in 1943. It Repeat verses 1-5 was performed by Bing Crosby and the Andrews We'll be dancing the victory polka Sisters, two of the most popular Scan the QR code or click here to here a artists of the timrecording of this song. Song Analysis Guide Song Analysis Process Step 1: Observe the song Observe the song Find information about the song itself. Step 2: Make sense of the song Make sense of the song Think about the people writing and listening to the song. Step 3: Use the song as historical evidence Use the song as historical evidence. Connect what is being written in the song to what is happening in the world at the time. Observe the song Step 1: Observe the song 1) Who wrote this song? 3) When was this song written or performed? 2) Who was the intended audience for this song? 4) What is the mood or tone of the song? Make sense of the song Step 2: Make sense of the song 1) Why did the author/composer write this song? 2) Why did the author/composer write this song? What did they What is it about? want people to feel, think, or do based on this song? Song Analysis Guide Make sense of the song Step 2: Make sense of the song 3) What else was happening at the time this was created? How 4) What does this song teach you about the experiences of do those events help you understand why it was created? American soldiers during WWII? Use the song as historical evidence. Step 3: Use the song as historical evidence 1) What evidence does the author present that you should “fact 3) What perspectives do you bring to this topic and source? check” (verify as true)? How does your identity and the time in which you live affect your perspective? 2) This primary source shows one perspective of a historical event. What other perspectives could you examine? NTFD_Lesson_Plan-Song_Analysis