MTV (Music Television) was launched as a cable TV channel on August 1, 1981, intended to work like a radio station with visuals. This playlist explores the cultural impact of MTV during its formative decade, highlighting the channel’s early history…
This playlist explores the cultural and symbolic significance of trains in American music. From spirituals and gospel to blues, rock, and soul, trains have long represented themes of freedom, escape, labor, and unity. Students will hear how artists across decades…
This playlist explores the wide-ranging career of Todd Rundgren—musician, songwriter, producer, and innovator—whose influence spans more than five decades. As both a solo artist and collaborator, Rundgren has continuously experimented with genre, technology, and song form, shaping sounds from psychedelic…
This playlist dives into the raw, minimalist sound of The White Stripes, a Detroit duo who redefined garage rock by blending punk energy, blues traditions, and stripped-down instrumentation. Students will explore how Jack and Meg White used a basic setup—guitar,…
The Supremes personified Motown’s style and grace, both on and off the stage. As the most successful girl group in history, the Supremes delivered the “Sound of Young America” to the world and brought together audiences of all backgrounds with…
This playlist traces the evolution of Sheryl Crow’s music and message—from laid-back 1990s pop-rock to emotionally and socially charged collaborations in the 2000s and beyond. Crow’s work celebrates resilience, joy, and activism, all delivered through her distinct blend of storytelling,…
This playlist introduces students to Soundgarden, a foundational band in the grunge movement and one of the first from Seattle to sign to a major label. Known for their fusion of heavy metal, punk, and alternative rock, Soundgarden used unusual…
This resource explores the theme of censorship in popular music, focusing on how artists have responded to public criticism, government scrutiny, and efforts to regulate musical content. Featuring songs from the 1950s to the early 2000s, the playlist illustrates how…
This two-page informational essay, written by Ryan R. Goble, explores the origins, success, and lasting cultural impact of Motown Records. It traces Berry Gordy Jr.’s entrepreneurial journey from Detroit’s assembly lines to founding one of the most influential African American-owned…
This two-page informational essay, written by Holly George-Warren for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2009 Annual Music Masters tribute, traces Janis Joplin’s evolution from a Texas outsider to an icon of the 1960s counterculture and rock scene. The…
This one-page personal narrative essay, written by music journalist Kevin Powell, reflects on the birth and rise of hip hop from the mid-1970s through the 2000s. Powell explores the genre’s early influence on youth culture, its connection to funk and…
This three-page informational text, written by Dr. Steve Waksman for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2008 Annual Music Masters tribute, explores the innovations of Les Paul—musician, inventor, and pioneer of modern sound technology. It details Paul’s invention of…
This one-page informational text introduces students to Jane Scott, one of the first daily newspaper rock critics in the country. A Cleveland native and longtime writer for The Plain Dealer, Scott covered the rise of rock and roll for over…
This two-page persuasive essay by Dr. Lauren Onkey examines Bruce Springsteen’s profound impact as a songwriter and performer, cementing his 1999 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The essay traces Springsteen’s career from his early days in…
This informational text introduces students to gospel and soul legend Mavis Staples. Written at an intermediate reading level, the one-page biography outlines her early life, work with the Staple Singers, civil rights activism, and solo career. Students will learn how…
This two-page essay, written by Parke Puterbaugh for Rolling Stone, explores John Lennon’s lasting contributions to rock and roll, both during and after his time with The Beatles. The text highlights Lennon’s evolving artistic voice, personal convictions, and public activism,…
This playlist examines how artists have used rock and roll to advocate for environmental awareness and action. Drawing on decades of songwriting, it includes artists from various genres who highlight the degradation of nature, the effects of urbanization, and the…
This playlist introduces students to the foundational voices of recorded blues music, focusing on African American women of the 1920s who shaped the sound and soul of modern American music. From Mamie Smith—the first to record a blues song commercially—to…
This playlist traces the groundbreaking career of The Go-Go’s—the first all-female band to top the Billboard album charts by writing and performing their own songs. Blending punk roots with new wave sparkle, The Go-Go’s reshaped rock music in the early…
Few artists have achieved a musical rebirth as successful as the Queen of Rock & Roll, Tina Turner. Rising to fame in the 1960s, Tina was the powerhouse of the musical duo Ike & Tina Turner. Whether belting out soulful…
This informative essay, written by Peter Guralnick for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2005 Annual Music Masters tribute, traces the life and impact of legendary soul artist Sam Cooke. Drawing on biographical anecdotes and cultural analysis, Guralnick explores…
This two-page biographical essay, written by Dr. Lauren Onkey for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2015 Annual Music Masters tribute, explores Smokey Robinson’s enduring impact as a triple-threat performer: a compelling vocalist, insightful songwriter, and influential music executive.…
This moderately complex, one-page informational text by Bill Janovitz was originally published for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2013 Music Masters tribute to the Rolling Stones. It traces the band's origins, influences, evolving sound, and enduring legacy over…
This two-page informational essay by John A. Jackson explores the career and legacy of Alan Freed, a pioneering radio disc jockey widely credited with popularizing the term "rock and roll." The essay recounts Freed’s rise from local Ohio radio stations…
This two-page essay by music journalist Rob Bowman chronicles the unlikely rise of Stax Records from a small Memphis studio into a powerhouse of soul music. It highlights the label’s racial integration, influence on the Black music industry, and its…
This multi-page essay by Rob Bowman explores the remarkable career of Bill Withers, a pivotal figure in the Black singer-songwriter movement of the early 1970s. It delves into Withers’ unconventional path to stardom, highlighting his breakthrough hit “Ain’t No Sunshine”…
This one-page essay explores why Madonna earned her place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, highlighting her fearless performance style, continual reinvention, musical versatility, and lasting cultural impact. It positions Madonna as a trailblazer whose influence extends beyond…
This eight-page essay, written by music critic Amy Linden for the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, traces Janet Jackson’s groundbreaking career. The text explores her evolution from a child performer in a famous musical family to…
This single-page writing prompt introduces young learners to the musical concept of volume by inviting them to explore the difference between loud and quiet sounds. Students are asked to think of one loud instrument and one quiet instrument, draw pictures…
This creative writing prompt helps young learners understand the concept of pitch in music by comparing it to animal sounds. Students are asked to identify animals that make high- or low-pitched sounds and describe those sounds in their own words.…
This writing prompt challenges students to explore the classic Ship of Theseus paradox through the lens of rock and roll. Students are asked to imagine a successful four-member band that begins to change members one by one. With each change,…
This one-slide creative writing prompt invites students to imagine what it would take to plan and perform four sold-out concerts, inspired by the real-life record-breaking 1982 run of the Michael Stanley Band at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.…
This one-slide writing activity invites students to explore poetry through the lens of music by crafting a haiku about an instrument. Students choose an instrument they play or find interesting, brainstorm descriptive words about its sound or function, and write…
This creative writing activity invites students to imagine themselves as famous musicians and reflect on how personal belongings can represent their identity and legacy. After learning that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame collects items such as instruments, handwritten…
This writing prompt encourages students to use descriptive language to express the mood and tone of a song they imagine writing. Drawing on color imagery and adjectives, learners reflect on how music can be described using sensory and emotional language.…
This writing prompt encourages students to reflect on how music makes them feel and to express those feelings using visual and descriptive language. Using color as a metaphor, students will explore emotional and sensory responses to a favorite song. The…
This creative writing prompt encourages students to craft a narrative of an imagined experience. The prompt reads: "Imagine an extraterrestrial came to Earth and borrowed all of the world’s music for one day. What would the world be like without…
This imaginative writing activity invites students to become musical inventors. Learners are prompted to envision and describe a brand-new musical instrument of their own creation. They are encouraged to use descriptive language to explore its appearance, sound, tone color, and…
This writing activity invites students to reflect on the importance of women supporting and empowering one another, inspired by the legacy of Chaka Khan. Known for her powerful voice and influence across decades, Khan often credited the women who inspired…
This three-slide resource uses Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” (1984) and the album’s iconic cover outfit to launch a critical thinking and writing activity. Students examine the political and cultural context surrounding the song—especially how it was used by…
This writing prompt invites students to explore David Bowie’s iconic 1969 song “Space Oddity.” After listening to the song and reading the lyrics, students respond to reflective and interpretive questions that explore the character of Major Tom, the metaphor of…
This writing prompt encourages students to explore identity, creativity, and musical performance by imagining themselves as a rock persona, inspired by David Bowie’s iconic characters such as Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Halloween Jack, and the Thin White Duke. The prompt…
This writing prompt invites students to craft an original narrative based on the characters and tone presented in Bob Dylan’s iconic 1965 song “Like a Rolling Stone.” Students examine a lyrical excerpt that hints at a dramatic personal transformation and…
This single-slide resource presents a creative writing prompt that connects music, culture, and space exploration. It introduces students to the 1977 Voyager mission, which launched two spacecraft carrying golden phonograph records filled with music and messages from Earth. Students are…
This one-slide writing prompt encourages creative storytelling while introducing students to the broader context of music history. Learners are asked to imagine they’ve invented a time machine and can visit any moment in music history. They are prompted to consider…
This reflective writing prompt invites students to explore how clothing can express beliefs, values, and calls for social change. Using Johnny Cash’s 1971 song “Man in Black” as inspiration, learners consider the reasons behind Cash’s signature style and analyze how…
This one-slide resource presents a narrative writing prompt designed to inspire student imagination and build creative writing skills. The prompt sets up a mysterious scenario: a music box on the teacher’s desk begins playing music when the teacher leaves the…
This lighthearted, imaginative writing prompt introduces young learners to the whimsical world of the Beatles' 1966 hit “Yellow Submarine.” Inspired by the song’s underwater journey, the prompt encourages students to envision their own submarine adventure. They are asked to describe…
This writing prompt is designed to get students thinking about how songs and books can both create narratives. The prompt reads: "Songs often tell stories. If you could choose any book to turn into a song, which book would you…
A writing prompt that encourages students to consider well-chosen details for a song about an animal. The text of the prompt reads: "The song 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' is set in a jungle where a lion is sleeping. Imagine that…
JAY-Z is a world-renowned businessman, producer, and hip-hop artist from New York City. Use this drawing prompt to have learners draw some of JAY-Z's lyrics about New York City and even draw their own versions of their hometown.
This one-slide writing prompt invites students to reflect on a song that holds personal significance. It asks them to consider the emotional connections they have to music, including associations with people, places, or events. Students describe the song, its themes,…
This writing prompt encourages students to engage in critical thinking and interpretation by analyzing Bob Dylan’s iconic 1962 protest song “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Students compare two published interpretations of the song—one that emphasizes hopeful possibility and another that questions…
This three-page worksheet engages students in a creative drawing activity inspired by Chuck Berry’s 1958 rock & roll classic “Johnny B. Goode." Students listen to the song and draw elements of its narrative across three verses: the setting (e.g., New…
This one-slide writing prompt invites elementary students to develop a narrative based on an imagined scenario. The prompt encourages creativity and problem-solving by presenting a challenge: your favorite band was booked to play a special school concert—but they didn’t show…
Use this two-page activity sheet to help younger students practice using the letter "Z" while learning about Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee ZZ Top. Color, count, read, and write together while listening along to one of ZZ Top's…
Use this two-page activity sheet to help younger students practice using the letter “X” while learning about Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Color, count, read, and write together while listening along to one of…
Use this two-page activity sheet to help younger students practice using the letter “I” while learning about Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee The Isley Brothers. Color, count, read, and write together while listening along to one of The…
Use this two-page activity sheet to help younger students practice using the letter “Q” while learning about Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Queen. Color, count, read, and write together while listening along to one of Queen's greatest hits.…
Use this two-page activity sheet to help younger students practice using the letter “V” while learning about Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Van Halen. Color, count, read, and write together while listening along to one of Van Halen’s…
Use this two-page activity sheet to help younger students practice using the letter “W” while learning about Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Earth, Wind, and Fire. Color, count, read, and write together while listening along to one of…
This essay by music critic Jim Farber, originally published for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2012 Induction Ceremony, explores the distinctive musical legacy of Laura Nyro. Blending elements of jazz, soul, Broadway, Motown, and classical music, Nyro’s songwriting…
This two-page informational essay details the founding and impact of SAR Records, co-created by Sam Cooke and J.W. Alexander in 1959. The essay highlights Cooke’s pioneering role as a Black entrepreneur in the music industry during the Civil Rights era.…
This two-page essay by Dr. Daphne Brooks, written for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2011 Annual Music Masters tribute to Aretha Franklin, examines the transformative impact of Aretha Franklin’s music on American popular culture. It traces Franklin’s journey…
This two-page essay by Lenny Kaye, originally written for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2003 Annual Music Masters tribute, explores the influence and legacy of Buddy Holly. Kaye describes Holly’s unique sound, songwriting, and contributions to early rock…
This two-page informational text, written by Dr. Lauren Onkey for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2012 Annual Music Masters tribute, explores Chuck Berry’s influence on rock and roll music and culture. It highlights his pioneering role in popularizing…
This two-page essay by John Jackson, author of *A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul*, chronicles the rise of Philadelphia soul music from the late 1960s to the 1970s, spotlighting the contributions of Kenny Gamble, Leon…
A classic icebreaker or journal question! This question invites students to think about and express which music is most important to them and why. The prompt reads: "Pretend you are stranded on a desert island, but are allowed to bring…
On January 31, 1993, Michael Jackson redefined the Super Bowl Halftime Show. He turned that time into a new type of concert performance with large crowds, bigger than life visuals, and a top-quality rock concert. This established the Halftime Show…
This curated playlist by hip hop artist Jahi (of PE 2.0) features 21 songs that explore themes of identity, community, perseverance, and purpose in modern music. Designed to inspire self-reflection, confidence, and action, the playlist showcases the intersection of hip…
This playlist introduces students to Sylvia Robinson—an artist, producer, label executive, and the driving force behind early hip-hop’s commercial breakthrough. Through a combination of vocal performance, business leadership, and fearless innovation, Robinson laid the groundwork for modern rap and hip-hop…
This five-slide resource introduces students to Bob Dylan, a pivotal figure in American music whose poetic songwriting and social commentary helped define the 1960s folk revival and the evolution of rock and roll. Known for his lyrical depth, cultural influence,…
This five-slide resource introduces students to Bo Diddley, a foundational figure in early rock & roll known for his distinctive rhythm and inventive guitar work. The presentation includes: - A “Fast Facts” overview of Bo Diddley’s career and contributions -…
This five-slide resource introduces students to Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul” and the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Known for her unmatched vocal power, gospel roots, and enduring cultural influence, Franklin’s music gave…
This resource introduces students to the artistry and emotional depth of Billie Eilish through analysis of her single, "Bellyache." The presentation also highlights Eilish's personal style, public persona, and authentic relationship with her fanbase. Through discussion and reflection prompts, students…
This one-page biography introduces younger students to Bo Diddley, born Ellas Bates in 1928, nicknamed “the Originator” for his foundational role in shaping rock & roll. It highlights his contributions as a singer and guitarist, blending blues with innovative guitar…
“Stomp. Stomp. Clap. Stomp. Stomp. Clap.” How can sports fans not join in with the thousands of feet and hands thunderously playing this familiar rhythm? Sporting events are lively social gatherings and musical anthems are a fun way for rallying…
This two-page activity worksheet invites students to design cover artwork for a music single and an album of their own creation. The first page provides a blank template for a single cover, prompting students to visualize the artwork for a…
From the late 1950s into the 1960s, girl groups were a staple of the American popular music landscape. Ensembles of girls and young women performing vocal music worked with influential producers like Phil Spector, had songs written for them by…
This one-page teaching guide by Jahi, a hip hop artist, educator, and member of PE 2.0, offers strategies for using his “Music and Motivation from 2000 to 2020” playlist, available on Rock Hall EDU, in the classroom. Jahi highlights five…
This five-slide resource introduces students to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, pioneers of early hip-hop and the first rap group inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The presentation explores their musical innovations, lyrical evolution, and cultural…
This five-slide presentation introduces students to the life, music, and activism of Joan Baez—an influential voice in the 1960s folk revival and a lifelong advocate for social justice. It features key biographical facts, important locations in her career, a chart…
This five-slide resource introduces students to the life, music, and entrepreneurial legacy of JAY-Z—rapper, businessman, cultural icon, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee. From his early life in Brooklyn to his rise as hip-hop’s first billionaire, the presentation…
This five-slide resource introduces students to Jimi Hendrix, widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential electric guitarists in rock and roll history. Students explore Hendrix’s rise from his early days in Seattle and military service to international…
This five-slide resource introduces students to Elvis Presley, one of the most recognizable and influential figures in the history of rock and roll. Students will explore Presley’s career from his early days at Sun Records to international stardom, along with…
This five-slide resource introduces students to David Bowie, one of rock and roll’s most innovative and theatrical performers. Known for his chameleon-like transformations and genre-defying sound, Bowie redefined what it meant to be a rock star through his embrace of…
This seven-slide resource introduces students to The Clash, a defining band of the British punk movement known for blending aggressive sound with political commentary. Formed in London in 1976 amid economic turmoil, The Clash used punk as a vehicle to…
This five-slide resource introduces students to Chuck Berry, one of the foundational figures in the creation of rock and roll. Known for his dynamic electric guitar playing, clever lyricism, and appeal to teenage audiences, Berry helped define the sound and…
This five-slide resource introduces students to Buffy Sainte-Marie, a trailblazing singer-songwriter, visual artist, educator, and activist. A member of the Piapot Cree First Nation Reserve in Saskatchewan, Sainte-Marie used her music to spotlight issues affecting Indigenous communities across North America.…
This classroom presentation introduces students to The Supremes, Motown’s most successful girl group and one of the most iconic acts of the 1960s. Through informative slides, students explore key facts about group members Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard;…
This five-slide presentation introduces Nina Simone, born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in 1933, as a singer-songwriter, performer, and pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement. It highlights her genre-spanning career, blending jazz, blues, folk, soul, gospel, and classical music, with a…
This five-slide resource provides an introduction to Public Enemy, the politically charged hip-hop group known for its powerful lyrics, pioneering sound, and cultural impact. Students will learn about the group’s formation in New York, their use of music as social…
This four-slide resource provides an introduction to Redbone, the groundbreaking Native American funk-rock band formed in 1969 by brothers Pat and Lolly Vegas. Inspired by Jimi Hendrix to celebrate their Indigenous heritage through music, Redbone blended rock, funk, and cultural…
This five-slide resource provides an introduction to Run-D.M.C., one of the most influential groups in hip-hop history. Students will explore the group’s origins in Queens, New York, their stripped-down, rock-influenced sound, and their pioneering contributions to bringing hip-hop into mainstream…
This five-slide resource provides an introduction to N.W.A., one of the most controversial and influential groups in hip-hop history. Students will examine how the group used music to speak out against systemic injustice, police brutality, and urban inequality—topics that earned…
This five-slide presentation introduces Little Richard, born Richard Wayne Penniman, as a pioneering musician, singer, songwriter, and performer who helped shape rock & roll. It highlights his role as one of the first crossover artists, captivating both Black and white…
This six-slide resource introduces students to LL Cool J, a pioneering solo artist of the “new school” hip-hop era who helped bring rap into the mainstream in the 1980s. Known for his versatility, LL Cool J fused hard-hitting tracks with…
This six-slide resource introduces students to Mahalia Jackson, the legendary gospel singer known as “The Queen of Gospel” and a prominent voice of the Civil Rights Movement. Students will explore Jackson’s musical achievements, contributions to social justice, and enduring influence…
This six-slide resource introduces students to Johnny Cash, a pioneering figure in music whose powerful songs and outlaw persona earned him the nickname “The Man in Black.” Known for his deep baritone and narrative songwriting, Cash gave voice to working-class…
