Daily Activities – Ray Charles
The daily activities created for each of the Today in Georgia History segments are designed to meet the Georgia Performance Standards for Reading Across the Curriculum, and Grade Eight: Georgia Studies. For each date, educators can choose from three optional activities differentiated for various levels of student ability. Each activity focuses on engaging the student in context specific vocabulary and improving the student’s ability to communicate about historical topics.
One suggestion is to use the Today in Georgia History video segments and daily activities as a “bell ringer” at the beginning of each class period. Using the same activity daily provides consistency and structure for the students and may help teachers utilize the first 15-20 minutes of class more effectively.
Optional Activities:
Level 1: Provide the students with the vocabulary list and have them use their textbook, a dictionary, or other teacher provided materials to define each term. After watching the video have the students write a complete sentence for each of the vocabulary terms. Student created sentences should reflect the meaning of the word based on the context of the video segment. Have students share a sampling of sentences as a way to check for understanding.
Level 2: Provide the students with the vocabulary list for that day’s segment before watching the video and have them guess the meaning of each word based on their previous knowledge. The teacher may choose to let the students work alone or in groups. After watching the video, have the students revise their definitions to better reflect the meaning of the words based on the context of the video. As a final step, have the students compare and contrast their definitions to their textbook, dictionary or other teacher provided materials definitions.
Level 3: Provide the students with the vocabulary list and have them use their textbook, a dictionary, or other teacher provided materials to define each term. After watching the video, have the students write a five sentence paragraph based on the provided writing prompts.
Vocabulary/Writing Prompts:
Vocabulary Terms
Pride
Soulful
Confusion
Glaucoma
Gospel
Rhythm
Blues
Jazz
Crossover
Turmoil
Profession
Bestow
Sharecropper
Writing Prompts
1. In the video you learned that Ray Charles was born a sharecropper but became one of the most honored singers in Georgia’s history. In a five sentence paragraph, explain the history of sharecropping and the struggles Ray Charles’s family might have faced in Post-Civil War Georgia.
2. Can you think of any modern crossover hits? By blending several styles of music together, Ray Charles became a popular successful artist. In a five sentence paragraph explain why crossover genres might be so popular. In your answer be sure to include one modern day example of a crossover artist.
3. The video argues that “Georgia on my Mind” is so soulful because Ray Charles was singing about his home. In a five sentence paragraph, explain what you think it means for a song to be “soulful.”
Related Georgia Performance Standards:
Reading Across the Curriculum (Grades 6-12)
SSRC1 Students will enhance reading in all curriculum areas by:
c. Building vocabulary knowledge
• Demonstrate an understanding of contextual vocabulary in various subjects.
• Use content vocabulary in writing and speaking.
• Explore understanding of new words found in subject area texts.
d. Establishing context
• Explore life experiences related to subject area content.
• Discuss in both writing and speaking how certain words are subject area related.
• Determine strategies for finding content and contextual meaning for unknown words.
Grade 8 Georgia Studies SS8H10 The student will evaluate key post-World War II developments of Georgia from 1945
to 1970.
a. Analyze the impact of the transformation of agriculture on Georgia’s growth.
b. Explain how the development of Atlanta, including the roles of mayors William B. Hartsfield and Ivan Allen, Jr., and major league sports, contributed to the growth of Georgia.
c. Discuss the impact of Ellis Arnall.
SS8H12 The student will explain the importance of significant social, economic, and political developments in Georgia since 1970.
a. Evaluate the consequences of the end of the county unit system and reapportionment.
b. Describe the role of Jimmy Carter in Georgia as state senator, governor, president, and past president.
c. Analyze the impact of the rise of the two-party system in Georgia.
d. Evaluate the effect of the 1996 Olympic Games on Georgia.
e. Evaluate the importance of new immigrant communities to the growth and economy of Georgia.
Music Appreciation (Grades 6-12)
MHSMA.9 – Understanding music in relation to history and culture
a. Identify and explain a particular music example’s historical and cultural significance.
b. Compare and evaluate the roles of musicians throughout history.
c. Recognize music’s role in today’s culture.
d. Identify sources of American music genres, trace their evolution, and identify musicians associated with them.