Mountain Music in the Classroom

Blue Ridge National Heritage AreaOur site features readings and resources for teachers and students in northwestern North Carolina's schools that are designed to meet state learning standards in social studies and history. Focused on linking mountain music traditions to state and county-level histories, this project is funded by a grant from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area awarded to researchers at Appalachian State University.

Led by Appalachian State's Center for Appalachian Studies, the project is a collaboration of faculty and staff from Belk Library, including the W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection, the Reich College of Education and the secondary education program in the College of Arts and Sciences.  The project team was aided by a group of public school teachers from the project area who participated in a summer lesson plan workshop in 2015. 

Students and teachers can access readings and resources on immigration, industrialization, and traditional ballads designed for the 8th grade classroom, as well as links to maps and other resources. Browse by topic or access lesson plans.

Visitors to our site can get started with background information about the Appalachian region in the Resources section.