TeachRock

Introducing the coolest class ever!
TeachRock’s Elective Course “An American History of Rock and Soul” 

Did you know that TeachRock offers a semester-long elective course? Our “An American History of Rock and Soul” course is a complete curriculum that can be taught as a History Elective or as a Music Course. 

“Ever since I became a teacher I always thought to myself, “If I could teach one class it would be a class about Rock and Roll.” Having the opportunity to teach the American History of Rock & Roll class has been one of the biggest highlights of my career!” – Teacher from  Bellflower, California

This course was developed by two teachers in LAUSD in 2020 and is currently being taught in schools across the United States, with 22 sections in LAUSD High Schools this year! Teachers tell us that they love playing music in their classrooms, and more than 90% of teachers who participated in TeachRock’s 2023 Fall Survey reported heightened engagement when using TeachRock curricula! 

“It’s my favorite hour of the day, mister! Let the beat keep you in the seat, the learning will be neat!” – Student in Elise, Michigan

Students enrolled in “An American History of Rock and Soul” explore the history of the United States through the history of American popular music, from the birth of The Blues, to Nirvana and Public Enemy. Along the way, students consider how genres such as Rock and Roll, Pop, Folk, Latin, and Hip Hop have both reflected and informed cultural, social, and political developments.

“TeachRock isn’t just about adding music to the classroom, it’s about curriculum, resources and strategies that teach students how to think for themselves. It allows them to see history from a multitude of perspectives, helping them to develop empathy, compassion, and in some cases a fire for activism.” – Teacher in  West Wendover, Nevada

We’ll be featuring “An American History of Rock and Soul” in our upcoming TeachRock edWeb on March 25th at 5pm (2pm PT). Join us to hear from teachers who are currently teaching the class and learn more about how you can bring “An American History of Rock and Soul” to your school for the 2024-25 School Year.  

I never really paid attention to lyrics before but now I listen to every word and ask “what is the artist trying to communicate to me”?  – Student in Olympia, Washington

And watch for our new year-long standards-aligned US History Course, covering US History from Reconstruction to near present. Funded through a generous Lewis-Houghton Civics and Democracy Initiative Grant from the Library of Congress,this course will incorporate resources from the Library of Congress archives. This newest  TeachRock course will be coming your way in 2026!

For more information about “An American History of Rock and Soul” and how to bring this elective course to your school or district, please contact Randa Schmalfeld, Director of Partnerships: randa@teachrock.org