How about a catchy little ditty about bacteria? Or an Ode to Lewis and Clark? Ok, now imagine both songs penned by 4th grade students as part of their curriculum studies, a product of an accidental grant win funding a classroom program dubbed 'Musically Increasing Content Knowledge" ... or 'MusICK' for short:
Through “Musically Increasing Content Knowledge (MusICK),” Ms. Ford and her partners use technology and music to increase social studies and science content knowledge. Students research topics for each unit of study and work with a visiting artist to write lyrics to reinforce the curriculum concepts. Collaborating with classmates, students record original songs related to social studies and science content and create a resource library of content-based music for future classes.
[ via Innovation Grants: Summer 2006 Recipients ]

Also quite by accident, the program invited the touring Rob Ritchie (ex of Tanglefoot) to stop by for a masterclass in songwriting about pertinent things, backed by Pennsylvania's Dallas Elementary Fourth Grade All-Star Band. Grant money well spent -- Elmo will be so happy.