Inspired by America is packed with educational topics that can be expanded upon and explored in the classroom. Teachers 5^th through 12^th grades can either kick off or conclude a unit with this program, focusing on one or several themes in the performance. A more basic lesson may be taught and reinforced by viewing this program for younger students, and higher level analytical, interpretive, or research-oriented projects can be assigned to older students.

View news coverage of one of many Inspired By America outreach projects by the Cypress.

Provided on this site is an outline of the California Department of Education Curriculum Content Standards directly addressed by Inspired by America. Teachers in other states may acquire a general sense of topics covered in the program by browsing the outline. If you are located outside California and would like more information about what standards Inspired by America addresses in your own state, please contact Kim Bigelow, Education Director.

5^th Through 12^th Grade Teachers

For details on specific History/Social Studies, Music, and Visual Art content standards, as defined by the California Department of Education, that are addressed through Inspired by America, click here (PDF). Inspired by America is most directly related to the listed standards; however, if the program is viewed in the beginning of a unit, it may provide context for lessons about other countries’ governments, political philosophies, and analysis using the United States’ government as a foundation.

A Lesson Guide (PDF) is provided, which provides background about the music in the performance and ideas for lessons related to Inspired by America for 5^th through 12^th grades.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges and Universities will find Inspired by America a source of connection between departments. For example, music, history, and political science overlap and integrate in this program. The following is a list of ideas on which to expand from the program:

• The study of film
• History of each American composer and the importance of the performed pieces
• How did the events of the country and the world influence the composer in his or her creation? How does the music demonstrate these influences?
• Philosophy of democracy, relationships to today’s government, comparisons to other forms of government.
• Studies of humanity, human behavior, sociology

Composer and Music Background

The weaving of American influenced or American born music in Inspired by America creates yet another point for students to connect with different concepts and issues in history. For information about composers and pieces in Inspired by America, click here (PDF).

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View news coverage of an Inspired By America outreach project by the Cypress String Quartet with film students in Lawrence, Kansas.