The following resource materials for teachers are available free of charge and mailed once a program reservation is made. The materials support specific objectives from the Tennessee state curriculum standards. Key to the development of each of these materials was input from a panel of local teachers.
Includes pre- and post-visit classroom lessons connecting students to the history of country music and its place in American culture, a bibliography of related texts, a slide of Thomas Hart Benton’s painting The Sources of Country Music, and information about the special exhibit Kitty Wells: Queen of Country Music, Presented by Great American Country Television Network.
Assists teachers in preparing students for the Words & Music
program. This resource is available on loan only and requires the
completion of a loan agreement form, which is sent with a reservation
confirmation. The kit contains pre-visit classroom lessons that guide
students through a lyric-writing experience.
Assists teachers in preparing students for an in-depth tour of the special exhibit I Can't Stop Loving You: Ray Charles and Country Music, Sponsored by SunTrust. Pre- and post- visit classroom lessons, historical photographs, and a CD are included. This award-winning resource examines various facets of Ray's life and career, particularly in country music.
Designed for groups participating in the Historic RCA Studio B Workshop and Tour.
Recognized with a commendation from the Tennessee Association of
Museums, this kit includes pre- and post-visit classroom lessons,
historical photographs and a CD. These materials help students learn about the
recording process and the history of recording in Nashville.
Assists teachers in introducing their students to instruments featured in country music and the sounds they create. Pre- and post-visit classroom lessons and a CD are included. A traveling trunk of featured instruments can be checked out at the museum for classroom use.
Designed for groups visiting the museum without a tour guide. This booklet includes teacher suggestions for leading students through the museum, important stops in the museum and discussion questions.
Provides information about the exhibit, Wells's career, and helpful books, CDs and web sites. This one-page reference sheet is included with the Teacher's Resource Guide, but copies may be requested separately. Available August 2008.
Thank you to students in Dr. Karon LeCompte's Teaching Social Studies in Elementary School and Advanced Methods of Teaching Social Studies classes at Vanderbilt University. As an assignment for these classes, students wrote lesson plans that could be used by teachers in conjunction with a class visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Some of these lesson plans have been posted here for your use. Adobe Acrobat required to download lesson plans.
Country Singers Take Nashville
Grade Level: 4-5
Overview: After visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame with your class, students research a famous country music singer and present their findings on a human cutout. Activity provides students with opportunities for exposure to a more hands-on approach to studying social studies.
The Atkins Family Stella: Chet Atkins Famous Guitar
Grade Level: 4-6
Overview: Students learn about migration and what draws certain people to different places. They engage parents and/or grandparents to find out where their families come from and what led them to live in the Nashville area. Students also learn about Chet Atkins and how he influenced the music industry. Students then gather in groups to search for other musical artists that came to Nashville searching for a career in the music business.
Understanding Primary and Secondary Sources
Grade Level: 4-6
Overview: Students differentiate between primary and secondary sources and learn about important legends in Tennessee and US history.
While students have suggested grade levels for which these lessons may be appropriate, we encourage you to read them and decide for yourself. You may think a lesson plan would work well for your class even if it is not within the suggested grade level range or you may want to adapt a lesson for the grade level you teach.
We welcome any feedback you might have on these lesson plans if you use them. Please email comments to education@countrymusichalloffame.com.
Tennessee teachers are invited to tour the museum for free in preparation for bringing a school group. Please email us at education@countrymusichalloffame.com
to request a ticket. All teachers are encouraged to become members of
the museum. Membership for an individual is $25. This entitles you to
the following benefits. Benefits are valid for one year and include:
Unlimited free admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
Free admission to museum family/public programs
Monthly museum program calendar
Annual limited edition custom letterpress Hatch poster
10% discount at the Museum Store, SoBro Grill, and Hatch Show Print Retail
Advance notice and special puchase opportunities for museum events
Visit our Membership page for more information.