Poetry, Short Stories, Songs

ABOUT MUSIC AS A TOOL FOR EDUCATION

Many forms of music emerge as resistance and response toward the mainstream culture and society. Music can be a very powerful means for students to investigate issues such as injustice, peace, youth problems, etc. within a context of social history.

Pop would not exist as it is without blues originated by slave songs. Protest music of the sixties often had civil rights as the predominant theme. Regardless of the genre, music can be a vibrant cultural force that reflects societal issues and can have a proactive impact. Then, exploring the role of music in reflecting and impacting societal change both in the present and in the past can also be used to help kids make sense of the world.  The idea is that music is not only a device for entertainment, but one that provides social commentary and a contextual tool for education.

 


ABOUT POETRY AND SHORT STORIES
AS A TOOL FOR EDUCATION

Critical thinking can occur when students use a literary work
to understand the world, other people's lives and ask questions about 
the way a poem is put to use in their own lives.

Young readers should be encouraged to develop a literal comprehension of
a poem or a short story by asking, "What does this say?",
"What does this mean?", "What does it matter?"

Click here to read poems and short stories

Poetry helps students recognize the function of connotation, denotation, symbolism, and imagery. Knowledge of these techniques is integrally related to critical thinking, and students can use this knowledge effectively in understanding the "language of commercial and political persuaders."

it is necessary to identify these language features in poetry to increase enjoyment, reading comprehension, and enable students to develop critical thinking skills.