United States History through Music
Overview
Unites States History through Music is an interdisciplinary program for 5th grade students that targets
Florida Standards in Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Music. It motivates and challenges
students to better understand United States history by connecting primary source songs, lyrics, musical
styles, and instruments to Essential Content from the District's 5th grade United States History Pacing
Guide.
The musical content is delivered directly to students by a teaching artist over the course of four 50minute classroom sessions, one in each nine-week period. Instructional resources are provided to Social
Studies, Language Arts, and Music teachers to use at their discretion.
Participation Includes
Classroom Sessions with Teaching Artist
 Four 50-minute classroom sessions (one in each nine-week period) will be facilitated by the
teaching artist. These may be scheduled during music, social studies, or other instructional time.
All 5th grade social studies and music teachers are expected to attend these sessions.
 Each session will include discussion of Essential Content from the District Pacing Guide for the
relevant nine-week period, except for the first session, which will serve as an introduction to the
entire arc of United States history.
o First Nine Weeks - United States History Overview
o Second Nine Weeks - Colonial America
o Third Nine Weeks - The American Revolution
o Fourth Nine Weeks - Westward Expansion
 During each session the teaching artist will introduce a variety of primary source songs that
directly relate to the Essential Content. Students will discuss the origin and meaning of the
songs, study the lyrical and musical content, and sing the songs together.
Social Studies Instructional Resources
 Lyric sheets and a compact disc of the songs presented by the teaching artist will be provided to
teachers.
 Additional instructional resources, including primary source investigations, will be provided to
teachers to facilitate the integration of songs into the Essential Content on an ongoing basis at
the teachers' discretion.
English Language Arts Instructional Resources
 Lyric sheets of the songs presented by the teaching artist will be provided to teachers.
 Familiar instructional resources, provided by M-DCPS' Department of English Language Arts to
support reading and writing, may be applied to the song lyrics and social studies textbook
content at the teachers' discretion.
Music Instructional Resources
 Lyric sheets and a compact disc of the songs presented by the teaching artist will be provided to
teachers.
 Music teachers can address multiple Florida Standards in Music by teaching students to apply
performance techniques while singing the songs, analyzing and discussing elements of the
music, applying listening strategies, and examining the contributions of musicians and
composers for a historical time period.
Results
As a result of participating in United States History through Music, students will:
 have a better understanding of the people and events that shaped the United States
 be able to examine songs as primary source documents
 be better prepared for District-wide assessments in Music and English Language Arts
 see connections between the disciplines of Social Studies, Language Arts, and Music
 be able to sing a variety of American folk songs
 have a better understanding of the unique cultural heritage of the United States
 be able think creatively and independently about United States history
To Apply
Complete the application form at
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KVAmbyMU2dtjklSaYtlfR2YW3FHcVNfLr79aHBXw0bc/viewform.
Contact
Matthew Sabatella, Curriculum Support Specialist
Division of Academic Support, Office of Academics and Transformation
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
1501 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 316
Miami, Florida 33132
305-995-1930 305-995-2644 (Fax)
msabatella@dadeschools.net