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Lesson Plan

Chapter 11 Lesson Plan: The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963

Grade Level:

Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade

Subject:

Literacy and Language Arts,Social Studies

Lesson Duration:

90 Minutes

Essential Question

What does your favorite music say about you?

Objective

In this activity, students will consider the possibilities and limitations of the record player,
as they select albums each member of the Watson family might want to take on the
trip. They will use textual clues to infer the music tastes of their character and match
those with albums from the era. These albums will form a sort of soundtrack for their
drive to Birmingham.

Background

Today, smartphones carry a nearly infinite selection of music to play in the car. The
Watsons’ car had a record player, which meant they needed to physically carry the
technology for every album they would play enroute. Records are bulky. In this
activity, students will consider the possibilities and limitations of the record player,
as they select albums each member of the Watson family might want to take on the
trip. They will use textual clues to infer the music tastes of their character and match
those with albums from the era. These albums will form a sort of soundtrack for their
drive to Birmingham.

Preparation

Gather materials:

• Tablets or other devices with internet access
• Chapter 11 worksheet (provided)
• Headphones (optional)
• White board or chart paper

Materials

Download Chapter 11 Worksheet

Procedure

1. Draw on the background information to introduce the activity.
2. Divide class into five groups and assign each group a member of the Watsons’ family. Distribute worksheets and provide instructions for completing it: 1) review their character’s profile and add any missing information; 2) circle the musical genre/s that best fit their character; 3) using Billboard Top 100, research and select 3 albums their character might pack for the long drive to Birmingham. In addition to drawing on the personalities and tastes of their character, they will consider the surrounding landscape and the mood in the car (for example, are passengers falling asleep?).
3. Ask groups to share their selections and their reasoning with the class.
4. Reflection: If the Watsons knew about music on cell phones, do you think they’d take a phone instead of a record player, and why? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both technologies?

To lengthen this activity: After students have shared their albums with the class,
have them return to their groups using the 15 selected albums to make a ten-song
soundtrack playlist for the Watsons’ drive.

To shorten this activity: Skip step 3. If necessary, consider skipping the reflection as
well. Alternatively, assign the reflection as homework.

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