A 'rockin' history lesson

MONTROSE  — As one looks back through history, music has played an important role. From Elvis Presley kicking rock 'n' roll into high gear, to the music that defined the anti-war era such as John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance," the sounds of history have shaped our culture today.

This is what Northside fourth-graders found out as they researched back to the 1950s — looking at style and lyrics and how the political movements influenced the tunes.

"Music is important," Northside music teacher Margaret Freeman said. "It is our heart — it celebrates our culture ... it's tied with society and gives us a picture of what was going on."

Wednesday, after a month of researching six different decades, students performed an hour "bandstand" production of the 1950s through the present.

Each decade was presented by a narrative of the times — major political movements, memorable events and popular styles.

In authentic dress, students danced and sang along with popular tunes such as "Rock Around the Clock" and Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

The narratives were done in both English and Spanish for the audience, which included students, teachers and parents. All the information was researched by the kids as part of their history lessons.

"It was a great way to bring history, art and music together," fourth-grade teacher Sherrie Gallegos said.

Each class researched a different era. Gallegos' students looked into the '70s and '80s.

"Most kids had no idea," Gallegos said. She said though most student had heard of Jackson, almost no one knew of his "Thriller" moonwalk dance.

Chase Harding, 10, who was Jackson in the production, said the dance was difficult to learn.

Student Karlita Ramirez, 9, said she had no idea that Jackson was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most copies sold of an album — she was amazed.

"It was well received by the kids," Gallegos said.

Students in other fourth-grade classes learned about the "British Invasion." Zack Gibson, 9, who was dressed as Paul McCartney, said he had never really listened to The Beatles, but now enjoys their music.

During the '60s-era performance, girls screamed loud while the "fab four" charmed the crowed with "She Loves You." Other students, dressed in tie dye, held protest signs and handed out flowers to the audience in a demonstration of the "Summer of Love."

The "Summer of Love" refers to the summer of 1967, when 100,000 young people gathered in San Francisco in a "hippie counterculture movement." It was also the time of fighting for women's rights, ending racial segregation and pushing environmental issues.

"By tying it into history, these students have a strong sense of what was going on and how culture influenced music," Freeman said.

Contact Kati O'Hare via e-mail at katio@montrosepress.com