On Tour in the USA Across the Curriculum

The classes were divided into rock band touring groups. Students were to tour the United States by driving across the country. Specific performance cities were selected by each group. Students had to plan the routes by using road maps, the Internet, and state books. Historical sites had to be visited along the way, as well as specific geographic places.

• Social Studies:
  • Students studied and became familiar with the Geography of the United States.
• Technology:
  • Students used NIH Image Processing software for measuring distances, importing and manipulating digital images for travel brochures.
  • Students used the Internet sites for research.
  • Students created Web pages displaying completed projects.
• Music
  • Each group performed one of its "songs" from the tour.
  • Some groups wrote new songs. All adapted the music that they used. String, band, and Orff instruments were used.
• Science
  • Experimental Design - Band vehicles were built using the Linx wooden building system. Each group developed an experiment using the scientific method.
  • The vehicles were tested on a ramp or through sand depending on their experiment.
• Math
  • Budgets, checking accounts and graphs - each student was given $1000 at the beginning of the tour.
  • Checks, deposit slips and withdrawal slips were also distributed. Each student was required to write checks for lodging, food, gas, and building supplies for the vehicle.
  • A running account was required.
  • Each group developed a budget and then shared how they spent their money in a circle graph after the tour.
• Language Arts
  • Students kept an extensive daily journal.
  • Students wrote a friendly letter home.
  • Students wrote a non fiction piece about an historical place.
  • Students read two non fiction books about the states.
• Art
  • Students designed and painted their band vehicles.
  • Students used clipart, scanned images, graphics form the Internet or computer drawn artwork, and designed and created travel brochures on the computer.
  • Students illustrated state information on a map using pictures.