As music educators, you understand the power of music to move, inspire, and connect. But have you considered its profound impact during times of war? More than just entertainment, war songs reflect and shape societal values, offering a unique window into the human experience of conflict and a compelling way to connect music history with real-world impact. At the Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS), we are proud to offer a free lesson inspired by the values embodied by Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients that provides a powerful way to teach students the impact of music during times of war and engage them in exploring how music influences public opinion, motivates action, and reflects evolving perspectives on service and sacrifice.

As part of our Character Development Program (CDP), all our ready-made and teacher-vetted lessons are free, easily adaptable, and engaging resources that promote academic success while catalyzing true character growth in students and an appreciation for the sacrifices veterans have made for our country. In this free lesson, “Music’s Role During the War,” you will receive all the tools you need to inspire your students to become the heroes and leaders who will propel our nation forward.  

The Sound of Freedom: Teach Students the Impact of Music During War

In this lesson, students will learn to identify themes, tones, and imagery used in past and current war songs by describing the effects of war songs on community opinions. They will draw conclusions about public perception based on war songs, identify an author’s purpose in song lyrics, infer how an individual is inspired to take action through song, and evaluate the changing tone in music between the Vietnam War and the War on Terror. 

In doing so, this lesson helps students recognize the emotional impact of conflict to gain a greater sense of empathy. They will learn how cultural expression reflects values. They will witness the power of individual action, grasp the evolution of societal perspectives on service and sacrifice, and develop a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives, all of which are crucial to building character.

Here is what to know about this lesson and how it will instill crucial Medal of Honor values, like courage, sacrifice, and patriotism. 

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What Materials Do You Get to Help Teach Students the Impact of Music During War?

By exploring the music of wartime, you provide students with a powerful opportunity to connect with the shared human experience of conflict, transcending time and cultural differences. Analyzing the themes, tones, and imagery in these songs fosters empathy, cultivates respect for diverse perspectives, and builds understanding of the sacrifices made during times of war.

This lesson will provide you with all the ready-made and teacher-crafted materials that will enable you to teach students the impact of music during war in an engaging and dynamic lesson. The first resource you will receive is a lesson plan. 

You can seamlessly adapt this lesson to any curriculum. Not only will it save you time in lesson planning, but it will guide you through implementing it in the classroom as effortlessly as reading a piece of sheet music. All you have to do is register to download the PDF, all at no charge! 

Click here to access this lesson plan and more!

In addition to this lesson plan, you will receive access to a riveting video about Vietnam Veteran Michael Thornton, a Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, and a list of songs to play in class. 

The list of songs is particularly effective because it contains modern pop songs about war that are sure to resonate more deeply with your younger students, from John Lennon and Bob Dylan to The Beastie Boys and Jimmy Hendrix. 

All you need to do is print the lyrics of each song you will show your class so that you can hand them out, find recordings on YouTube, and ensure you have a way to present this material in a classroom setting. Then, you’ll have all the instruments you need to turn your classroom into a symphony of meaningful growth and change.

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How to Teach Students the Impact of Music During War Time with This Lesson Plan

This lesson contains a compelling combination of individual and group activities that are sure to keep your students engaged. The song selections will span generations to provide more relevance. Here’s how you can teach students the impact of music during times of war with this lesson plan! 

You will start with an introductory activity that encourages self-exploration and creates a personal connection to the material. Begin by displaying the following quotation, ideally on a whiteboard, chalkboard, or projector: “I think everybody has to sacrifice for something great. Nothing is given to you; you have to work for it.” – Michael E. Thornton, Vietnam.

Then, have your class respond to the following journal prompt as they ruminate on the quote: “Have you ever stood up for something you strongly believed in when most people thought you were wrong?” Have them explain this incident and how they felt about it. 

Afterward, show your class the video about Michael Thornton and instruct them to list moments that stood out to them as noble or heroic. You will then lead a discussion, asking your class to imagine that those who served in the Vietnam War were scorned by the majority of the public. 

Reiterate to your class that the signs of the times are usually depicted in the music of that respective era, and this has never been more evident than during the Vietnam War era.

After this discussion, play for your students the songs “War” by Edwin Starr and “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, both written during the Vietnam War, and have them discuss how the feelings of war are portrayed in these songs.

Then, juxtapose these sentiments with the songs “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” by Toby Keith and “Iraq and Roll” by Clint Black, written during the War on Terror, and discuss the differences in perception and why they might exist.

After this group activity, transition into a small group or individual activity, distributing lyrics from the song list that reflect a variety of opinions on different wars. Instruct your students to identify the tone, theme, imagery, and author’s purpose for each song, and have them infer when the song was written and what led them to draw that conclusion. 

You will then have your student groups share their thoughts and findings with the class, identifying connections and common literary devices across the songs. 

To conclude, refer back to the quotation and inferences about the lyrics. Have your students reflect on how their own thoughts about the quotation relate to the group consensus about war, sparking true introspection and growth. 

If you need help finding suitable songs, the lesson also provides a list of songs, spanning from the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror. 

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Do You Need Help Teaching Students the Power of Music During War? Register for CDP Today! 

By using this powerful lesson to explore the impact of music during wartime, you’re not just teaching music history. When you teach students the impact of music during war, you’re shaping informed, empathetic citizens who understand the complexities of conflict, the weight of sacrifice, and the enduring importance of courage and patriotism. This lesson is sure to resonate and stay with your students like a catchy song that gets stuck in their heads. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your classroom into a space where understanding flourishes and future generations are inspired to uphold the values that define our nation. 

Register for CDP today for free to transform your students into thoughtful, engaged, and responsible citizens. In doing so, you will be creating the heroes and leaders of tomorrow that our nation so desperately needs.