Lesson #1 serves as an introduction to all lessons in this pathway and/or can serve as a stand-alone brief introduction to the overarching topic of this pathway. In short, Lesson #1 seeks to explore who Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AA & NHPI) are, and introduces the diverse ways they express themselves through musical styles that can be classified as traditional, classical, popular, and fusion.

Lesson Paths & Learning Objectives

1. AA/APA/AAPI: What’s in a Name / Demographics

   • Part 1: Explain the evolution and controversial nature of terms such as “Asian American” and “Asian Pacific American.” (20+ minutes)
   • Part 2: Describe key trends in Asian Pacific American demographics. (10+ minutes)

2. Classifying Music

   • Explain and aurally identify the defining characteristics of four broad categories used to classify music: traditional, classical, popular, fusion.
   • Explain the usefulness and limitations of these categories.
   • 20+ minutes

3. Classifying Music: Personal Connections

   • Identify characteristics that distinguish between musical categories.
   • Make connections to your own life by classifying songs you know and like.
   • 10+ minutes