POV
object(WP_Query)#7032 (51) { ["query"]=> array(3) { ["name"]=> string(11) "lesson-plan" ["pov_film"]=> string(11) "sierraleone" ["amp"]=> int(1) } ["query_vars"]=> array(66) { ["name"]=> string(11) "lesson-plan" ["pov_film"]=> string(11) "sierraleone" ["amp"]=> int(1) ["error"]=> string(0) "" ["m"]=> string(0) "" ["p"]=> int(0) ["post_parent"]=> string(0) "" ["subpost"]=> string(0) "" ["subpost_id"]=> string(0) "" ["attachment"]=> string(0) "" ["attachment_id"]=> int(0) ["static"]=> string(0) "" ["pagename"]=> string(0) "" ["page_id"]=> int(0) ["second"]=> string(0) "" ["minute"]=> string(0) "" ["hour"]=> string(0) "" ["day"]=> int(0) ["monthnum"]=> int(0) ["year"]=> int(0) ["w"]=> int(0) ["category_name"]=> string(0) "" ["tag"]=> string(0) "" ["cat"]=> string(0) "" ["tag_id"]=> string(0) "" ["author"]=> string(0) "" ["author_name"]=> string(0) "" ["feed"]=> string(0) "" ["tb"]=> string(0) "" ["paged"]=> int(0) ["meta_key"]=> string(0) "" ["meta_value"]=> string(0) "" ["preview"]=> string(0) "" ["s"]=> string(0) "" ["sentence"]=> string(0) "" ["title"]=> string(0) "" ["fields"]=> string(0) "" ["menu_order"]=> string(0) "" ["embed"]=> string(0) "" ["category__in"]=> array(0) { } ["category__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["category__and"]=> array(0) { } ["post__in"]=> array(0) { } ["post__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["post_name__in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag__in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag__and"]=> array(0) { } ["tag_slug__in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag_slug__and"]=> array(0) { } ["post_parent__in"]=> array(0) { } ["post_parent__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["author__in"]=> array(0) { } ["author__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["ignore_sticky_posts"]=> bool(false) ["suppress_filters"]=> bool(false) ["cache_results"]=> bool(true) ["update_post_term_cache"]=> bool(true) ["lazy_load_term_meta"]=> bool(true) ["update_post_meta_cache"]=> bool(true) ["post_type"]=> string(0) "" ["posts_per_page"]=> int(10) ["nopaging"]=> bool(false) ["comments_per_page"]=> string(2) "50" ["no_found_rows"]=> bool(false) ["order"]=> string(4) "DESC" } ["tax_query"]=> NULL ["meta_query"]=> object(WP_Meta_Query)#7136 (9) { ["queries"]=> array(0) { } ["relation"]=> NULL ["meta_table"]=> NULL ["meta_id_column"]=> NULL ["primary_table"]=> NULL ["primary_id_column"]=> NULL ["table_aliases":protected]=> array(0) { } ["clauses":protected]=> array(0) { } ["has_or_relation":protected]=> bool(false) } ["date_query"]=> bool(false) ["queried_object"]=> object(WP_Post)#7138 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(3124) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2007-01-02 19:59:28" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2007-01-03 00:59:28" ["post_content"]=> string(15286) "

Download the Lesson Plan

Jump to:
OVERVIEW This lesson plan is designed to be used in conjunction with the film Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, the story of a band born in a West African refugee camp that chooses to fight back against their suffering and circumstances with music. Note: A significant portion of the film has subtitles. In addition, the film includes graphic war images and accounts of atrocities. Please preview the film before showing it in its entirety in a classroom setting. POV documentaries can be recorded off-the-air and used for educational purposes for up to one year from the initial broadcast. In addition, POV offers a lending library of DVDs that you can borrow anytime during the school year — FOR FREE!
OBJECTIVES By the end of this lesson, students will: GRADE LEVEL: 9-12 SUBJECT AREAS: Geography, World History, Music MATERIALS ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED: Two 50-minute class periods, plus homework SUGGESTED CLIP Performance of Weapon Conflict in Sembakounya Refugee Camp (2:49 minutes) The clip begins at 3:15 with text on the screen: "Sembakounya Refugee Camp, Republic of Guinea." It ends at 6:04 with the performance of "Weapon Conflict."
BACKGROUND Created in the late 18th century by freed slaves from the British colonies in the West Indies, Sierra Leone gained independence in 1961. From 1991 to 2002, a brutal civil war displaced more than 2 million people (about a third of the population), caused at least 50,000 deaths and brought about the mutilation of an estimated 100,000 men, women and children. Hundreds of thousands of civilians from Sierra Leone, including those who formed the band Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, found refuge in the neighboring country of Guinea, primarily in camps run by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Once peace was reestablished in Sierra Leone, the UNHCR began actively repatriating Sierra Leoneans from the camps. By mid-2004 the UNHCR reported that fewer than 2,000 Sierra Leonean refugees remained in Guinea. Those who chose to stay will be integrated into Guinean society and will no longer receive UNHCR aid.
ACTIVITY 1. To set the stage for the lesson, have the music of the band Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars playing in the background as the students enter the classroom. If you go to the filmmaker's website, you can find mp3 clips of the band's music, or, alternately, you can buy the CD from the band's website or download their songs from an online music provider. 2. Show students the location of Sierra Leone and Guinea on a map of Africa. Explain that from 1991 to 2002, Sierra Leone was devastated by civil war. Civilians were the victims of brutal murders, mutilations and other atrocities committed by soldiers on both sides of the war. To escape the violence, hundreds of thousands of Sierra Leoneans fled to the neighboring country of Guinea, where they lived for years in United Nations refugee camps. 3. Pass out the lesson handout (PDF) and explain that while in a refugee camp, a number of musicians came together to fight back against their circumstances using their music. Tell students the musicians formed a band called Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, and the class is going to watch as they sing their song Weapon Conflict. Go over the questions on the handout to help focus student viewing and then show the clip (length: 2:49 minutes). 4. Use the handout to analyze the song as a class. As part of the discussion, explain that while living in refugee camps, the band was able to visit several other camps to perform their music. Ask students how the band's music might have helped them and other refugees cope with their circumstances (for example, did it provide a place of refuge and escape from everyday realities, give them a source of power, provide a sense of purpose, build unity among refugees, raise awareness of their situation, help refugees deal with loss?) 5. Discuss the role of protest music and provide an example or two of other protest songs that students might be more familiar with. Use the questions from the handout to examine the content of these other examples. 6. For homework, challenge students to identify a social issue of importance to them, research it and then write their own protest-song lyrics to a tune of their choice. For example, students could address concerns about an environmental issue with original lyrics set to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Or students could choose a favorite pop song to which they could match their lyrics. Encourage them to be creative! 7. Allow time for students' presentations of their original protest songs. Consider asking for volunteers to perform for the class, or break students into smaller groups to share their work. Then have students submit their lyrics sheets. (Be sure students indicate on their lyrics sheets the tune to which the lyrics are set.)
ASSESSMENT Students can be assessed on:
EXTENSIONS & ADAPTATIONS
RESOURCES Afropop Worldwide The website for this public-radio series introduces people to a wide range of world music and includes an interview with Reuben Koroma and a review of the band's CD. Cry Freetown The website of a film documenting the 1999 rebel attack in Freetown, Sierra Leone, includes an excellent set of links to sites representing diverse groups as well as general background on the conflict, including information on the diamond trade. Sierra Leone Web A convenient gateway to a broad range of information about Sierra Leone. United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone This Web site provides an account of the Sierra Leonean peace process from the perspective of the United Nations.
STANDARDS These standards are drawn from "Content Knowledge," a compilation of content standards and benchmarks for K-12 curriculum by McREL (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning). Arts and Communication, Standard 3: Uses critical and creative thinking in various arts and communication settings. Level IV, Benchmark 8: Knows ways in which different sources are used to produce art forms. Geography, Standard 9: Understands the nature, distribution and migration of human populations on Earth's surface. Geography, Standard 10: Understands the nature and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics. Geography, Standard 13: Understands the forces of cooperation and conflict that shape the divisions of Earth's surface. Language Arts, Standard 4: Gathers and uses information for research purposes. Language Arts, Standard 9: Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media. Music, Standard 7: Understands the relationship between music and history and culture.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cari Ladd, M.Ed., is an educational writer with a background in broadcast journalism, secondary education and media development. Previously, she served as PBS Interactive's Director of Education, overseeing the development of curricular resources tied to PBS programs, the PBS TeacherSource website (now PBS Teachers), and online teacher professional development services. She has also taught in Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Background Sources Sierra Leone. CIA World Factbook. Updated February 8, 2007. Sierra Leone. UNHCR Country Information. UNHCR." ["post_title"]=> string(70) "Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars: Lesson Plan: Music as Social Protest" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(177) "Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars relates the story of a band born in a West African refugee camp that chooses to fight back against their suffering and circumstances with music." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "lesson-plan" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2016-07-13 11:37:06" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2016-07-13 15:37:06" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(56) "http://www.pbs.org/pov/index.php/2007/06/20/lesson-plan/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } ["queried_object_id"]=> int(3124) ["request"]=> string(476) "SELECT wp_posts.* FROM wp_posts JOIN wp_term_relationships ON wp_posts.ID = wp_term_relationships.object_id JOIN wp_term_taxonomy ON wp_term_relationships.term_taxonomy_id = wp_term_taxonomy.term_taxonomy_id AND wp_term_taxonomy.taxonomy = 'pov_film' JOIN wp_terms ON wp_term_taxonomy.term_id = wp_terms.term_id WHERE 1=1 AND wp_posts.post_name = 'lesson-plan' AND wp_posts.post_type = 'post' AND wp_terms.slug = 'sierraleone' ORDER BY wp_posts.post_date DESC " ["posts"]=> &array(1) { [0]=> object(WP_Post)#7138 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(3124) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2007-01-02 19:59:28" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2007-01-03 00:59:28" ["post_content"]=> string(15286) "

Download the Lesson Plan

Jump to:
OVERVIEW This lesson plan is designed to be used in conjunction with the film Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, the story of a band born in a West African refugee camp that chooses to fight back against their suffering and circumstances with music. Note: A significant portion of the film has subtitles. In addition, the film includes graphic war images and accounts of atrocities. Please preview the film before showing it in its entirety in a classroom setting. POV documentaries can be recorded off-the-air and used for educational purposes for up to one year from the initial broadcast. In addition, POV offers a lending library of DVDs that you can borrow anytime during the school year — FOR FREE!
OBJECTIVES By the end of this lesson, students will: GRADE LEVEL: 9-12 SUBJECT AREAS: Geography, World History, Music MATERIALS ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED: Two 50-minute class periods, plus homework SUGGESTED CLIP Performance of Weapon Conflict in Sembakounya Refugee Camp (2:49 minutes) The clip begins at 3:15 with text on the screen: "Sembakounya Refugee Camp, Republic of Guinea." It ends at 6:04 with the performance of "Weapon Conflict."
BACKGROUND Created in the late 18th century by freed slaves from the British colonies in the West Indies, Sierra Leone gained independence in 1961. From 1991 to 2002, a brutal civil war displaced more than 2 million people (about a third of the population), caused at least 50,000 deaths and brought about the mutilation of an estimated 100,000 men, women and children. Hundreds of thousands of civilians from Sierra Leone, including those who formed the band Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, found refuge in the neighboring country of Guinea, primarily in camps run by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Once peace was reestablished in Sierra Leone, the UNHCR began actively repatriating Sierra Leoneans from the camps. By mid-2004 the UNHCR reported that fewer than 2,000 Sierra Leonean refugees remained in Guinea. Those who chose to stay will be integrated into Guinean society and will no longer receive UNHCR aid.
ACTIVITY 1. To set the stage for the lesson, have the music of the band Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars playing in the background as the students enter the classroom. If you go to the filmmaker's website, you can find mp3 clips of the band's music, or, alternately, you can buy the CD from the band's website or download their songs from an online music provider. 2. Show students the location of Sierra Leone and Guinea on a map of Africa. Explain that from 1991 to 2002, Sierra Leone was devastated by civil war. Civilians were the victims of brutal murders, mutilations and other atrocities committed by soldiers on both sides of the war. To escape the violence, hundreds of thousands of Sierra Leoneans fled to the neighboring country of Guinea, where they lived for years in United Nations refugee camps. 3. Pass out the lesson handout (PDF) and explain that while in a refugee camp, a number of musicians came together to fight back against their circumstances using their music. Tell students the musicians formed a band called Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, and the class is going to watch as they sing their song Weapon Conflict. Go over the questions on the handout to help focus student viewing and then show the clip (length: 2:49 minutes). 4. Use the handout to analyze the song as a class. As part of the discussion, explain that while living in refugee camps, the band was able to visit several other camps to perform their music. Ask students how the band's music might have helped them and other refugees cope with their circumstances (for example, did it provide a place of refuge and escape from everyday realities, give them a source of power, provide a sense of purpose, build unity among refugees, raise awareness of their situation, help refugees deal with loss?) 5. Discuss the role of protest music and provide an example or two of other protest songs that students might be more familiar with. Use the questions from the handout to examine the content of these other examples. 6. For homework, challenge students to identify a social issue of importance to them, research it and then write their own protest-song lyrics to a tune of their choice. For example, students could address concerns about an environmental issue with original lyrics set to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Or students could choose a favorite pop song to which they could match their lyrics. Encourage them to be creative! 7. Allow time for students' presentations of their original protest songs. Consider asking for volunteers to perform for the class, or break students into smaller groups to share their work. Then have students submit their lyrics sheets. (Be sure students indicate on their lyrics sheets the tune to which the lyrics are set.)
ASSESSMENT Students can be assessed on:
EXTENSIONS & ADAPTATIONS
RESOURCES Afropop Worldwide The website for this public-radio series introduces people to a wide range of world music and includes an interview with Reuben Koroma and a review of the band's CD. Cry Freetown The website of a film documenting the 1999 rebel attack in Freetown, Sierra Leone, includes an excellent set of links to sites representing diverse groups as well as general background on the conflict, including information on the diamond trade. Sierra Leone Web A convenient gateway to a broad range of information about Sierra Leone. United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone This Web site provides an account of the Sierra Leonean peace process from the perspective of the United Nations.
STANDARDS These standards are drawn from "Content Knowledge," a compilation of content standards and benchmarks for K-12 curriculum by McREL (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning). Arts and Communication, Standard 3: Uses critical and creative thinking in various arts and communication settings. Level IV, Benchmark 8: Knows ways in which different sources are used to produce art forms. Geography, Standard 9: Understands the nature, distribution and migration of human populations on Earth's surface. Geography, Standard 10: Understands the nature and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics. Geography, Standard 13: Understands the forces of cooperation and conflict that shape the divisions of Earth's surface. Language Arts, Standard 4: Gathers and uses information for research purposes. Language Arts, Standard 9: Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media. Music, Standard 7: Understands the relationship between music and history and culture.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cari Ladd, M.Ed., is an educational writer with a background in broadcast journalism, secondary education and media development. Previously, she served as PBS Interactive's Director of Education, overseeing the development of curricular resources tied to PBS programs, the PBS TeacherSource website (now PBS Teachers), and online teacher professional development services. She has also taught in Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Background Sources Sierra Leone. CIA World Factbook. Updated February 8, 2007. Sierra Leone. UNHCR Country Information. UNHCR." ["post_title"]=> string(70) "Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars: Lesson Plan: Music as Social Protest" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(177) "Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars relates the story of a band born in a West African refugee camp that chooses to fight back against their suffering and circumstances with music." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "lesson-plan" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2016-07-13 11:37:06" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2016-07-13 15:37:06" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(56) "http://www.pbs.org/pov/index.php/2007/06/20/lesson-plan/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } } ["post_count"]=> int(1) ["current_post"]=> int(-1) ["in_the_loop"]=> bool(false) ["post"]=> object(WP_Post)#7138 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(3124) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2007-01-02 19:59:28" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2007-01-03 00:59:28" ["post_content"]=> string(15286) "

Download the Lesson Plan

Jump to:
OVERVIEW This lesson plan is designed to be used in conjunction with the film Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, the story of a band born in a West African refugee camp that chooses to fight back against their suffering and circumstances with music. Note: A significant portion of the film has subtitles. In addition, the film includes graphic war images and accounts of atrocities. Please preview the film before showing it in its entirety in a classroom setting. POV documentaries can be recorded off-the-air and used for educational purposes for up to one year from the initial broadcast. In addition, POV offers a lending library of DVDs that you can borrow anytime during the school year — FOR FREE!
OBJECTIVES By the end of this lesson, students will: GRADE LEVEL: 9-12 SUBJECT AREAS: Geography, World History, Music MATERIALS ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED: Two 50-minute class periods, plus homework SUGGESTED CLIP Performance of Weapon Conflict in Sembakounya Refugee Camp (2:49 minutes) The clip begins at 3:15 with text on the screen: "Sembakounya Refugee Camp, Republic of Guinea." It ends at 6:04 with the performance of "Weapon Conflict."
BACKGROUND Created in the late 18th century by freed slaves from the British colonies in the West Indies, Sierra Leone gained independence in 1961. From 1991 to 2002, a brutal civil war displaced more than 2 million people (about a third of the population), caused at least 50,000 deaths and brought about the mutilation of an estimated 100,000 men, women and children. Hundreds of thousands of civilians from Sierra Leone, including those who formed the band Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, found refuge in the neighboring country of Guinea, primarily in camps run by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Once peace was reestablished in Sierra Leone, the UNHCR began actively repatriating Sierra Leoneans from the camps. By mid-2004 the UNHCR reported that fewer than 2,000 Sierra Leonean refugees remained in Guinea. Those who chose to stay will be integrated into Guinean society and will no longer receive UNHCR aid.
ACTIVITY 1. To set the stage for the lesson, have the music of the band Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars playing in the background as the students enter the classroom. If you go to the filmmaker's website, you can find mp3 clips of the band's music, or, alternately, you can buy the CD from the band's website or download their songs from an online music provider. 2. Show students the location of Sierra Leone and Guinea on a map of Africa. Explain that from 1991 to 2002, Sierra Leone was devastated by civil war. Civilians were the victims of brutal murders, mutilations and other atrocities committed by soldiers on both sides of the war. To escape the violence, hundreds of thousands of Sierra Leoneans fled to the neighboring country of Guinea, where they lived for years in United Nations refugee camps. 3. Pass out the lesson handout (PDF) and explain that while in a refugee camp, a number of musicians came together to fight back against their circumstances using their music. Tell students the musicians formed a band called Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, and the class is going to watch as they sing their song Weapon Conflict. Go over the questions on the handout to help focus student viewing and then show the clip (length: 2:49 minutes). 4. Use the handout to analyze the song as a class. As part of the discussion, explain that while living in refugee camps, the band was able to visit several other camps to perform their music. Ask students how the band's music might have helped them and other refugees cope with their circumstances (for example, did it provide a place of refuge and escape from everyday realities, give them a source of power, provide a sense of purpose, build unity among refugees, raise awareness of their situation, help refugees deal with loss?) 5. Discuss the role of protest music and provide an example or two of other protest songs that students might be more familiar with. Use the questions from the handout to examine the content of these other examples. 6. For homework, challenge students to identify a social issue of importance to them, research it and then write their own protest-song lyrics to a tune of their choice. For example, students could address concerns about an environmental issue with original lyrics set to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Or students could choose a favorite pop song to which they could match their lyrics. Encourage them to be creative! 7. Allow time for students' presentations of their original protest songs. Consider asking for volunteers to perform for the class, or break students into smaller groups to share their work. Then have students submit their lyrics sheets. (Be sure students indicate on their lyrics sheets the tune to which the lyrics are set.)
ASSESSMENT Students can be assessed on:
EXTENSIONS & ADAPTATIONS
RESOURCES Afropop Worldwide The website for this public-radio series introduces people to a wide range of world music and includes an interview with Reuben Koroma and a review of the band's CD. Cry Freetown The website of a film documenting the 1999 rebel attack in Freetown, Sierra Leone, includes an excellent set of links to sites representing diverse groups as well as general background on the conflict, including information on the diamond trade. Sierra Leone Web A convenient gateway to a broad range of information about Sierra Leone. United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone This Web site provides an account of the Sierra Leonean peace process from the perspective of the United Nations.
STANDARDS These standards are drawn from "Content Knowledge," a compilation of content standards and benchmarks for K-12 curriculum by McREL (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning). Arts and Communication, Standard 3: Uses critical and creative thinking in various arts and communication settings. Level IV, Benchmark 8: Knows ways in which different sources are used to produce art forms. Geography, Standard 9: Understands the nature, distribution and migration of human populations on Earth's surface. Geography, Standard 10: Understands the nature and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics. Geography, Standard 13: Understands the forces of cooperation and conflict that shape the divisions of Earth's surface. Language Arts, Standard 4: Gathers and uses information for research purposes. Language Arts, Standard 9: Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media. Music, Standard 7: Understands the relationship between music and history and culture.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cari Ladd, M.Ed., is an educational writer with a background in broadcast journalism, secondary education and media development. Previously, she served as PBS Interactive's Director of Education, overseeing the development of curricular resources tied to PBS programs, the PBS TeacherSource website (now PBS Teachers), and online teacher professional development services. She has also taught in Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Background Sources Sierra Leone. CIA World Factbook. Updated February 8, 2007. Sierra Leone. UNHCR Country Information. UNHCR." ["post_title"]=> string(70) "Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars: Lesson Plan: Music as Social Protest" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(177) "Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars relates the story of a band born in a West African refugee camp that chooses to fight back against their suffering and circumstances with music." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "lesson-plan" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2016-07-13 11:37:06" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2016-07-13 15:37:06" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(56) "http://www.pbs.org/pov/index.php/2007/06/20/lesson-plan/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } ["comment_count"]=> int(0) ["current_comment"]=> int(-1) ["found_posts"]=> int(1) ["max_num_pages"]=> int(0) ["max_num_comment_pages"]=> int(0) ["is_single"]=> bool(true) ["is_preview"]=> bool(false) ["is_page"]=> bool(false) ["is_archive"]=> bool(false) ["is_date"]=> bool(false) ["is_year"]=> bool(false) ["is_month"]=> bool(false) ["is_day"]=> bool(false) ["is_time"]=> bool(false) ["is_author"]=> bool(false) ["is_category"]=> bool(false) ["is_tag"]=> bool(false) ["is_tax"]=> bool(false) ["is_search"]=> bool(false) ["is_feed"]=> bool(false) ["is_comment_feed"]=> bool(false) ["is_trackback"]=> bool(false) ["is_home"]=> bool(false) ["is_404"]=> bool(false) ["is_embed"]=> bool(false) ["is_paged"]=> bool(false) ["is_admin"]=> bool(false) ["is_attachment"]=> bool(false) ["is_singular"]=> bool(true) ["is_robots"]=> bool(false) ["is_posts_page"]=> bool(false) ["is_post_type_archive"]=> bool(false) ["query_vars_hash":"WP_Query":private]=> string(32) "7e31a82c41f8253cfa0e8aba1db5d711" ["query_vars_changed":"WP_Query":private]=> bool(false) ["thumbnails_cached"]=> bool(false) ["stopwords":"WP_Query":private]=> NULL ["compat_fields":"WP_Query":private]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(15) "query_vars_hash" [1]=> string(18) "query_vars_changed" } ["compat_methods":"WP_Query":private]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(16) "init_query_flags" [1]=> string(15) "parse_tax_query" } }

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars: Lesson Plan: Music as Social Protest

POV

Download the Lesson Plan

Jump to:

OVERVIEW

This lesson plan is designed to be used in conjunction with the film Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, the story of a band born in a West African refugee camp that chooses to fight back against their suffering and circumstances with music. Note: A significant portion of the film has subtitles. In addition, the film includes graphic war images and accounts of atrocities. Please preview the film before showing it in its entirety in a classroom setting.

POV documentaries can be recorded off-the-air and used for educational purposes for up to one year from the initial broadcast. In addition, POV offers a lending library of DVDs that you can borrow anytime during the school year -- FOR FREE!

OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, students will:

GRADE LEVEL:
9-12

SUBJECT AREAS: Geography, World History, Music

MATERIALS

ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED: Two 50-minute class periods, plus homework

SUGGESTED CLIP

Performance of Weapon Conflict in Sembakounya Refugee Camp (2:49 minutes)
The clip begins at 3:15 with text on the screen: "Sembakounya Refugee Camp, Republic of Guinea." It ends at 6:04 with the performance of "Weapon Conflict."

BACKGROUND

Created in the late 18th century by freed slaves from the British colonies in the West Indies, Sierra Leone gained independence in 1961. From 1991 to 2002, a brutal civil war displaced more than 2 million people (about a third of the population), caused at least 50,000 deaths and brought about the mutilation of an estimated 100,000 men, women and children. Hundreds of thousands of civilians from Sierra Leone, including those who formed the band Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, found refuge in the neighboring country of Guinea, primarily in camps run by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Once peace was reestablished in Sierra Leone, the UNHCR began actively repatriating Sierra Leoneans from the camps. By mid-2004 the UNHCR reported that fewer than 2,000 Sierra Leonean refugees remained in Guinea. Those who chose to stay will be integrated into Guinean society and will no longer receive UNHCR aid.

ACTIVITY

1. To set the stage for the lesson, have the music of the band Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars playing in the background as the students enter the classroom. If you go to the filmmaker's website, you can find mp3 clips of the band's music, or, alternately, you can buy the CD from the band's website or download their songs from an online music provider.

2. Show students the location of Sierra Leone and Guinea on a map of Africa. Explain that from 1991 to 2002, Sierra Leone was devastated by civil war. Civilians were the victims of brutal murders, mutilations and other atrocities committed by soldiers on both sides of the war. To escape the violence, hundreds of thousands of Sierra Leoneans fled to the neighboring country of Guinea, where they lived for years in United Nations refugee camps.

3. Pass out the lesson handout (PDF) and explain that while in a refugee camp, a number of musicians came together to fight back against their circumstances using their music. Tell students the musicians formed a band called Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, and the class is going to watch as they sing their song Weapon Conflict. Go over the questions on the handout to help focus student viewing and then show the clip (length: 2:49 minutes).

4. Use the handout to analyze the song as a class. As part of the discussion, explain that while living in refugee camps, the band was able to visit several other camps to perform their music. Ask students how the band's music might have helped them and other refugees cope with their circumstances (for example, did it provide a place of refuge and escape from everyday realities, give them a source of power, provide a sense of purpose, build unity among refugees, raise awareness of their situation, help refugees deal with loss?)

5. Discuss the role of protest music and provide an example or two of other protest songs that students might be more familiar with. Use the questions from the handout to examine the content of these other examples.

6. For homework, challenge students to identify a social issue of importance to them, research it and then write their own protest-song lyrics to a tune of their choice. For example, students could address concerns about an environmental issue with original lyrics set to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Or students could choose a favorite pop song to which they could match their lyrics. Encourage them to be creative!

7. Allow time for students' presentations of their original protest songs. Consider asking for volunteers to perform for the class, or break students into smaller groups to share their work. Then have students submit their lyrics sheets. (Be sure students indicate on their lyrics sheets the tune to which the lyrics are set.)

ASSESSMENT

Students can be assessed on:

EXTENSIONS & ADAPTATIONS

RESOURCES

Afropop Worldwide

The website for this public-radio series introduces people to a wide range of world music and includes an interview with Reuben Koroma and a review of the band's CD.

Cry Freetown

The website of a film documenting the 1999 rebel attack in Freetown, Sierra Leone, includes an excellent set of links to sites representing diverse groups as well as general background on the conflict, including information on the diamond trade.

Sierra Leone Web

A convenient gateway to a broad range of information about Sierra Leone.

United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone

This Web site provides an account of the Sierra Leonean peace process from the perspective of the United Nations.

STANDARDS

These standards are drawn from "Content Knowledge," a compilation of content standards and benchmarks for K-12 curriculum by McREL (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning).

Arts and Communication, Standard 3: Uses critical and creative thinking in various arts and communication settings.
Level IV, Benchmark 8: Knows ways in which different sources are used to produce art forms.

Geography, Standard 9: Understands the nature, distribution and migration of human populations on Earth's surface.

Geography, Standard 10: Understands the nature and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics.

Geography, Standard 13: Understands the forces of cooperation and conflict that shape the divisions of Earth's surface.

Language Arts, Standard 4: Gathers and uses information for research purposes.

Language Arts, Standard 9: Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media.


Music, Standard 7: Understands the relationship between music and history and culture.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cari Ladd, M.Ed., is an educational writer with a background in broadcast journalism, secondary education and media development. Previously, she served as PBS Interactive's Director of Education, overseeing the development of curricular resources tied to PBS programs, the PBS TeacherSource website (now PBS Teachers), and online teacher professional development services. She has also taught in Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Background Sources

Sierra Leone. CIA World Factbook. Updated February 8, 2007.

Sierra Leone. UNHCR Country Information. UNHCR.