Widely considered the most frequently taught whole-length text in schools across America, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and its central characters, Scout, Jem, and Atticus, create a fascinating story that continues to grip the hearts and minds of readers young and old.  Employing the resources of The Green Book of Songs by Subject, LitTunes‘ Chris Goering has written this flexible lesson plan. It identifies songs that are useful in illustrating and teaching universal themes of justice, character, and coming of age. The plan features four pedagogical approaches that incorporate American popular music as a bridge between students and their music and between literary themes and lyrics.

Here are some samples of the songs used in the lesson plan to exemplify each of this timeless novel’s themes. See the complete lesson plan for a full description of themes, and the many GreenBookOfSongs.com® categories with relevant songs.

1. Social Inequality: Baloney Again Mark Knopfler
2. Political Inequality: The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll Bob Dylan
3. Moral Character: Atticus Taught Me Cary Cooper
4. Coming of Age: Walk Tall John Mellencamp