Our Mission
TeachRock improves students' lives by bringing the sound, stories, and science of music to all classrooms.
From The Beatles to Beyoncé, from kindergarten to AP History, in the classroom or remotely, TeachRock offers meaningful lesson plans all at no cost to teachers, students, and families, inspiring deeper learning and understanding through the power of music.
Launched by Stevie Van Zandt with the Founders Board of Bono, Jackson Browne, Martin Scorsese, and Bruce Springsteen, Teachrock.org has provided free, standards-aligned resources to help teachers, students, and families succeed for more than a decade.
TeachRock's Artist Council includes Erykah Badu, Common, Sheryl Crow, Peter Gabriel, Norah Jones, DJ Khaled, Skip Marley, Darryl McDaniels, Melle Mel, Margo Price, Rapsody, Gina Schock, Marty Stuart, and Black Eyed Peas' Taboo.
WE BRING OUR MISSION TO LIFE BY OFFERING:
- Arts-integrated K-12 lessons, full courses, and custom programs to districts, individual schools, and teachers
- High-quality virtual and in-person training for teachers and school administrators
- The Social Studies, Language Arts, Science, Math, and Music classes you wish they had when you were in school
TEACHROCK IS:
- Used in more than 30,000 schools worldwide
- An official partner of the Connecticut State Department of Education, the New York City Department of Education, Los Angeles Unified School District, Chattanooga, TN public schools, as well as individual schools in Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and others
More than 91% of teachers surveyed report heightened enthusiasm in TeachRock classrooms.
“This is the first time I have ever wanted to come to school and be on time, and it's because I don't want to miss TeachRock."
-7th Grade TeachRock Student, Chattanooga, TN
New Releases
lesson:
The Homestead Act featuring Cowboy Songs collected by John Lomax
How did the Homestead Act of 1862 impact growth and development in the American West, and what is meant by the term “crossroads of culture” in the context of the American West?
lesson:
Native Americans and Westward Expansion featuring Redbone
What were the experiences of Native Americans during Westward Expansion and how did the U.S. government use music and other aspects of culture to force assimilation on Native Americans?
lesson:
Late Reconstruction featuring The Jubilee Singers
Who were the Jubilee Singers and how do their experiences reflect the final years of Reconstruction in the United States?
lesson:
Palm Oil – The Environmental Impact
How have palm oil plantations impacted indigenous communities in Indonesia and the global climate as a whole, and how have activists and musicians spread awareness about the issue?
lesson:
Early Reconstruction featuring the Hyers Sisters
What did the career and artistic work of the Hyers Sisters reveal about life for African Americans during the Civil War, Reconstruction, and Post-Reconstruction?
lesson:
The Origins of Disco
What are the cultural, economic, and geographic origins of Disco and how has the genre been presented, remembered, and represented in popular culture?
lesson:
The Transcontinental Railroad featuring Work Songs Collected by John Lomax
In what ways did the Transcontinental Railroad contribute to the physical, cultural, and musical growth of the American West in the late 19th Century?
lesson:
Plessy v. Ferguson featuring Bert Williams
Who was Bert Williams and how does his life represent an American experience during the rise of Jim Crow laws and the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson?
lesson:
The Water Walker: Indigenous Wisdom and Water Contamination
In what ways do indigenous views of water align with scientific views, and how do indigenous activists use artistic expression to advocate for water protection?
lesson:
Bystander Intervention: Making Spaces Safer for Everyone
What is Bystander Intervention and how does it make music spaces and other public gathering places more safe, accessible, and fun for everyone?
lesson:
Life Songs Scaffolded Resources
What other projects can students develop to showcase their Life Songs Interview?
lesson:
Black Radio and the Civil Rights Movement
How did Black radio empower Black Americans, aid the Civil Rights Movement, and influence U.S. society?
News
Let Stevie Van Zandt tell you why TeachRock matters in the video below