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Marching through War

Lesson Overview

 Overview: Using sheet music, sound recordings, and the book Diary of a Drummer Boy, students
will gain an understanding of the role musicians played during the Civil War Era.
 Grade Range:  6-8
 Objective:

After completing this activity, students will be able to:

  • Analyze sheet music and use the Music Analysis Tool to demonstrate
    understanding of the piece. 
  • Listen to a sound recording and participate in discussion about the selection.
  • Listen to the story Diary of a Drummer Boy and participate in discussion about
    the real life aspects of a musician during the Civil War. 
  • Work in small group settings to create their own Civil War song.
 Time Required:  Five class periods of 30 minutes.
 Discipline/Subject:  General Music
 Topic/Subject:  Performing Arts, Music 
 Era:  Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877

  

Standards

Illinois Learning Standards:

CC.6.1.c Comprehension and Collaboration: Pose and respond to specific questionswith elaboration and detail by making comments that contribute to the topic, text, orissue under discussion.

Materials

 Handouts:  LOC Item-When Johnny Comes Marching Home sheet music.
 Analysis Tools:  Music Sheet Analysis
 Book:  Diary of a Drummer Boy by Marlene Targ Brill
 Other:  Sound recording of When Johnny comes Marching Home
Library of Congress Items:  Title of Source:When Johnny comes marching home
   Title of Source:When Johnny comes marching home; Soldier's return march. 1863

  

Procedures

 1. Introduce students to the Sheet Music Analysis Tool.
 2. Provide each student with a copy of When Johnny Comes Marching Home; Soldier's return march 1863.
 3. Students analyze the music to form an opinion about the piece.
 4. Students will participate in class discussion and share ideas.
 5. Students will listen to the recording of When Johnny comes marching home.
 6. Students will participate in discussion about the musical elements and lyrics of this piece and how they relate to the events of the Civil War.
 7. After gaining a better understanding of this selection, students will re-listen to the recording. 
 8. Students will read Diary of a Drummer Boy by Marlene Targ Brill.
 9. Students will participate in discussion about the real-life events depicted in the story and reflect on how a musician's life was during the Civil War.
10. Students will work in small groups to create their own Civil War song to express their views of the war.
11. Students will present their final project to the class.

 

Evaluation

Students will be divided into small groups and will be given paper and pencils. Students will brainstorm to create their own war song including title page and at least one lyrical verse. Students will present their final project to the class.

Author Credits
A. Niemerg
Shiloh Schools