Carver

Soulful Sounds & Southern Stars

Henrico Learner Profile (HLP) 6C Focus

5th Grade - Social Studies

SOL/Standard - SE 1 & 2 Southeast Region

Learning Experience

As an extension of student learning, students were given the opportunity to explore the incredible impact musical genres from the Southeast Region have had on modern day music. Students were exposed to the blues, jazz, bluegrass, country, and soul during music LAMP lessons. In the classroom, students worked in small groups to select a genre to research and an influential musician to spotlight. Using a variety of online resources to read about, listen to, and explore, students learned about the soulful sounds and southern stars of the region. They were excited to hear many songs they were familiar with and to discover some of their favorite musicians were inspired or influenced by one of these genres. Groups worked collaboratively on a digital presentation and independently created an artifact during art LAMP lessons.

Before starting on their final product, students reflected on their #LifeReady collaboration and communication skills and created a group goal to ensure success as they moved forward. Students reflected at the end of the unit and shared how they felt the project helped them grow.

What did the student(s) learn about this experience:

"I really enjoyed this project. It was really fun researching and getting to collaborate and work with one another." -Briggs K.


"I liked the Canva part! It made it easier to focus on the research and just typing in information instead of how to make it (the presentation) look." -Zeriah K.

What did the teacher enjoy about this experience:

"It was amazing to see how my students grew in their learning but also in their communication skills. At the start, there were disagreements and frustrations. But as the project went on, everyone learned how to better advocate for themselves and their ideas as well as making compromises. I truly believe that this project allowed my students to embody the HLP traits, and I am so thankful to my students for being so willing to go above and beyond." -Mrs. Perkins


"As an art teacher, I loved getting a glimpse inside of my students’ classroom and having the opportunity to work in tandem with their teacher and our ILC for this project. It was inspiring and enriching for the students and myself to watch them use their creativity to bring their individual ideas to fruition, giving them each a sense of ownership in this collaborative learning experience." -Miss Montgomery

Additional Pictures, Media & Artifacts

Students researched genres and musicians.

Students worked together to decide what information should be published.

In groups, students collaboratively planned digital presentations.

With communication, students were able to work together, but separately, on their digital presentations.

During art, students were given free rein to create their artifact. Eli finally found inspiration for his project online. 

Dang was inspired to create a 3-D sculpture of a baby grand piano.

Students' individual creativity shined through and was brought to life by materials in the art room.

They even had a little fun along the way!

Thank you to the innovators who helped make this experience possible: