Source: EGG: The Arts Show: "Off the Charts"
Funding for the VITAL/Ready to Teach collection was secured through the United States Department of Education under the Ready to Teach Program.
In this video segment from Egg: the arts show, we learn polka music is important to the culture of Pulaski, Wisconsin. With a population of about 2,200, Pulaski has eight to twelve working polka bands. Per capita (per person), the town has more bands and musicians than any other place in America, even Nashville Tennessee. People from all generations there love to listen to, play and dance to polka music. Even churches integrate polka music into their services. Polka originated as a courtship dance of Bohemian folk origin.
Download and ShareThe following Frame, Focus and Follow-up suggestions are best suited for middle school students using this video in an English language arts or social studies lesson. Be sure to modify the questions to meet your students' instructional needs.
What is Frame, Focus and Follow-up?
Frame (ELA) How do we draw conclusions from a text? For example, if you read a weather report that said there would be a Northeastern snowstorm starting at 6 a.m. on a school day and the expected accumulation was 15 inches, what conclusion might you draw? When we read or view a text, we gather explicit (or “right-there”) information and implied (or “between-the-lines”) information. In the example about the snowstorm, what information is right there and what information can be gathered by reading between the lines?
Focus (ELA) Gather information about Pulaski by listening to and viewing the explicit information this video offers. Think also about what information is implied.
Follow Up (ELA) What conclusions can you draw about Pulaski based on the explicit and implied information you gathered from the video? Discuss the process you used to come up with the conclusions you identified.
Frame (SS) What is the root of Polka music in Pulaski Wisconsin? From what ethnic group does Polka music come?
Focus (SS) Learn how polka music identifies the people of Pulaski Wisconsin.
Follow Up (SS) Pulaski, Wisconsin was named for a Polish man, Kazimierz Pulaski, who was a general in the cavalry of the American Revolutionary War. Besides its name, what do you think is the connection between General Pulaski and Pulaski, Wisconsin? How did Polka music arrive in Wisconsin? What period in American history is known for the immigration of Polish people and their migration to the Midwest of the United States? Describe this period of immigration and why it was significant in American history.
SONG: There’s a little polish town, people come from miles around
MAN: Oh, yeah, good old Pulaski, Wisconsin. Most of the people like to do the polka, and they like the music, and I guess that’s what makes a good polka town, really. Come to Pulaski polka day
MAN: Polka town sounds from Pulaski, Wisconsin. And you’re listening to WJMQ, 92.3 F.M. we’ll give you the band calendar of some of the bands appearing. Don peachy and the orchestra, they’re down at the Wisconsin dells. And then in the afternoon, if you like to go to the fox ballroom, it’s the old German-style band.
MAN: Here you are in a little town of about 2,500, and there are, at given times, between 8 to 12 working bands on a regular schedule.
MAN: Per capita, we have more bands and more musicians than anywhere else in America. Nashville? Hello, per capita we’ve still got them beat.
MAN: Come on out, folks, and support those bands. Kevin? And don’t forget about the dance tonight. And that will be the third annual harvest dance over at the Carolina mead American legion. And music will be provided by the Maroszek Brothers.
SONG: Festivals and banquet halls, we can’t forget those times we’ve had fun with you all
WOMAN:If it wasn’t for polka music and polka dancing, we would have never got together.
WOMAN: We would have had nothing in common. And polkas was the common thing that drew us together. I would say. Yeah.
SONG: Irresistible you
JANET: Everybody in the family likes polkas. From the oldest down to the kids that are 2 and 3 years old, they can sing the songs on the tape. Deep in your heart you’ll find the one and only...
EUGENE: Our sons have got the new generation band.
SONG: There is nothing, nothing, nothing we can’t do together, do together take another look at your heart
BOY: It just seems like polka is in the blood, growing up with it all our lives. If I hear polka music, I crank it up on my stereo. Kind of sends a chill up my spine sometimes. If the crowd’s into it, that makes us all want to play harder and it feels like the whole room’s electric. You just feel the energy coming from the people.
EUGENE: My brother mike, he started another band called the Polka Dimensions. And then there’s my brother ken in a band called Polka Horizons. And then there’s one more. Nephew’s. Nephew’s. Polish Power. Polish Power, that’s right.
SONG: We offer bread and wine to show...
MAN: Polka’s everywhere, and close to god as well, sure. We share the sacred meal...
MAN: We have a big Germanic heritage. This is their music, this is their vocabulary. This is a way of celebrating some of our folk art and beauty now.
SONG:
we’re gonna have a polka celebration you bring your friends out and I’ll bring mine we’re gonna have a polka celebration we’re gonna party and have a good time.
MAN: Pulaski will remain a polka town for a long, long time. I know as long as I’m here, Pulaski will be a polka town.
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