This lesson challenges students to choose a song to nominate for inclusion in the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry. They will explore the criteria for nominating a song and use reasoning and analysis skills to determine whether a song is relevant to the historical context of a given period. Students will then make a claim to support their song/audio choice for nomination.
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About the inquiry
Compelling Question
What makes a song historic?
Standards
D2.His.5.9-12. Analyze how historical contexts shaped and continue to shape people’s perspectives.
D2.His.9.9-12. Analyze the relationship between historical sources and the secondary interpretations made from them.
D2.His.11.9-12. Critique the usefulness of historical sources for a specific historical inquiry based on their maker, date, place of origin, intended audience, and purpose
Instructional Snapshot
Begin by organizing students into groups and directing them to the mission statement of the National Recording Preservation Board. Each group will analyze and discuss the statement to determine the main purpose of the National Recording Registry. Once they’ve established the purpose, groups will navigate to the essay index, select a song from the registry, and listen to it together. Using the organizer, students will analyze the song’s lyrics, historical context, and significance, discussing how it meets the criteria for inclusion in the registry, focusing on its cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance. After completing their analysis, groups will share their chosen song with the class, leading to a broader discussion about the songs and their impact. To wrap up, groups will access the list of artists not yet included in the registry and select a song they believe deserves a nomination. Using the organizer to guide their reasoning, students will work together to build a case for their chosen song. If time permits, groups can present their nominations to the class, followed by a debate on which songs best meet the registry’s criteria.
Formative Tasks
DELIBERATE: Students will use the mission statement to discuss the National Registry’s main purpose in 1-2 sentences.
COLLABORATE: Student groups will select a song from the National Recording Registry and use the analysis organizer to identify the reasons it was included and then share with the class.
PRODUCE: Students will work in groups to choose a song to nominate as an addition to the registry using the index of artists not currently on the registry and analyze the song with the organizer to make the claim for nomination.
Sources
Source A: Mission Statement for the National Recording Preservation Board
Source B: Registry Essay Index
Source C: Criteria for Nominations to the National Recording Registry
Source D: List of Artists Not Currently on the Registry
Summative Performance Task
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Taking Informed Action
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