LOC Mixtape Lesson Starters
Get ready to explore American history through the voices and songs of everyday people. The Library of Congress (LOC) Mixtape podcast series engages high school students in inquiry-based exploration of audio primary sources that capture the music, stories, and experiences of individuals and communities across the United States.
Episodes are structured in two parts: the first half features a historical expert and highlights primary source audio recordings, providing context and insight into the music and stories. The second half invites contemporary artists to create new music inspired by these works, connecting past and present through sound.
The lesson starters below provide flexible ways to use the podcast in your classroom. Select a topic to find audio clips, essential and guiding questions, learning extensions, and other student supports to use in your classroom.
Using music or singing to coordinate physical labor is common in many cultures worldwide. How does music contribute to a shared culture or identity among a group of people? In this lesson, we will analyze the historical and cultural context of sailors creating and performing sea shanties in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
