Primary Source Activities: This Land is Your Land
Author: Amy Canterbury
Grade(s): 3
Description
Summary of the Lesson:
Students will listen to and analyze Woody Guthrie's song "This Land is Your Land." They will discuss their responses to six questions with the class and learn more background about the song. They will write a paragraph about why this song remains popular to this day and then sing the song as a group.
Description of the Instructional Steps to Implement the Lesson:
- Pass out the words to the song "This Land is Your Land" and the worksheet "This Land is Your Land" Analysis.
- Play Guthrie's song to the students as they follow along with the words.
- Read aloud the six questions on the worksheet. Students will fill in their responses after each question has been read aloud.
- Meet as a group to discuss the students' responses to each question.
- Read aloud the picture book This Land is Your Land (words and music by Woody Guthrie, paintings by Kathy Jakobsen). Share some additional background about the song (included at end of book).
- Pass out the assessment worksheet to have students write a paragraph answering the question "Why do you think the song "This Land is Your Land" is still a popular patriotic song in the United States?" Students will be able to see the grading rubric at the bottom of the worksheet.
- Play the song one more time and let students sing along.
Post-Assessment and Scoring Guide:
Students will complete the paragraph answering the question "Why do you think the song "This Land is Your Land" is still a popular patriotic song in the United States?" These paragraphs will be assessed out of 20 points for restatement of the question (2 points), effective reasons to answer the question (12 points), a conclusion (2 points), and correct conventions (4 points).
Materials needed by Teachers:
- cd of the song "This Land is Your Land"
- cd player
- copies of the lyrics
- copies of the analysis and assessment worksheet
- book This Land is Your Land
Materials needed by Students:
- personal copies of the lyrics
- analysis and assessment worksheet
- pencil
Extension possibilities:
- Have students research and compare "This Land is Your Land" to other songs dealing with a similar theme
- Have students write original lyrics to the tune of "This Land is Your Land," relating it to their own community
Standards
- Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities 3-5, Benchmark A: Explain how citizens take part in civic life in order to promote the common good.
- Indicator: Grade 3, GLI 2. Demonstrate effective citizenship traits including: a. Civility; b. Respect for the rights and dignity of each person; c. Volunteerism; d. Compromise; e. Compassion; f. Persistence in achieving goals; g. Civic-mindedness.
- Social Studies Skills and Methods 3-5, Benchmark A: Obtain information from a variety of primary and secondary sources using the component parts of the source.
- Indicator: Grade 3, GLI 1. Obtain information about local issues from a variety of sources including: a. Maps; b. Photos; c. Oral histories; d. Newspapers; e. Letters; f. Artifacts; g. Documents.
