Teaching with Taylor: How the Eras Tour and Swift's Influence Spark Classroom Conversations

From swapping friendship bracelets and rocking glittery outfits to singing every lyric by heart—Canada has officially caught the Taylor Swift fever at full throttle! With stops in Toronto and Vancouver planned for November and December 2024, it’s hard to miss the impact the Eras Tour is bringing to Canada. Whether it’s at recess, in the classroom, or around the dinner table, Taylor Swift is likely to be a topic of conversation (more than usual) for students nationwide. At Teachers on Call in-person and online tutoring, we believe that by tapping into the educational power of the Eras Tour, teachers and parents can help students think critically, understand pop culture better, and appreciate how art—like Taylor Swift's music—shapes both personal and shared experiences.

The Taylor Swift Eras Tour presents a unique educational opportunity for students to engage with music, culture, and personal growth in meaningful ways. Beyond the performances, the tour invites exploration of storytelling, songwriting, and the business of music, all of which offer real-world applications for subjects like English, math/economics, and media studies. Taylor Swift’s ability to connect with diverse audiences through her evolving musical styles provides a starting point for conversations on identity, social movements, and emotional intelligence. Did you know that Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario now offers a Taylor-themed law seminar course, titled “Law (Taylor’s Version)”.

The Eras Tour: The Significance you Can’t Shake Off

The Taylor Swift Eras Tour holds deep significance for young people as it represents more than just a concert—it’s a cultural milestone. For many, it’s a shared experience that transcends music, offering a sense of connection to a global community of fans. Swift’s evolution as an artist, reflected in the diverse themes and sounds of her “eras”, mirrors the personal growth many young people undergo as they navigate identity, relationships, and self-expression.

Swift Reads: Books for All Ages

Streaming the Eras Tour recording isn’t the only way to bring Taylor Swift home. Books have been written about all faucets of her life and career for students of all ages from picture books to trivia. Through these children's books, young readers not only learn about Taylor Swift’s music and achievements but are also encouraged to embrace creativity, perseverance, and kindness. Whether through celebrating her catchy tunes or emphasizing her advocacy for social justice, these books offer valuable life lessons wrapped in a story that kids can relate to and enjoy.

Want to stock your classroom or home library? Check out these titles: Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography by Wendy Loggia, Who is Taylor Swift by Kirsten Anderson, and 96 Facts About Taylor Swift by Arie Kaplan.

The Lessons of Taylor Swift and Pop Culture

Taylor Swift’s rise to global stardom offers a rich opportunity for teachers and parents to engage students in discussions about the power of pop culture. Through her music, storytelling, and public persona, Swift provides lessons in creativity, entrepreneurship, social issues, and emotional intelligence. Teachers can use her lyrics to explore themes like love, identity, and resilience, while also discussing the role of artists in shaping social movements. Parents can highlight the importance of navigating media literacy in the digital age, teaching kids how to critically engage with celebrity culture. From economics and the business of touring to understanding fandom and personal expression, Taylor Swift’s influence serves as a valuable tool for helping students develop critical thinking skills, emotional awareness, and an understanding of the intersection between music, media, and society.

The Economics of the Eras Tour

The Taylor Swift Eras Tour offers a masterclass in economics, with lessons on everything from the power of supply and demand to the impact of major events on local economies. As fans flock to her sold-out concerts across Canada, the tour generates significant revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, and tourism. Local businesses, from hotels to restaurants, see a boost, while cities benefit from increased tourism and spending. CBC recently reported that the Eras Tour is estimated to generate $282 Million in economic impact in Toronto alone. 

Beyond the immediate financial impact, the tour also highlights the business side of the music industry, offering insights into branding, marketing, and the economics of live performances. For students, it’s a real-world example of how large-scale events shape both the economy and culture. Teachers can explore the impact large events can have on sponsorships, fashion lines, tourism and municipalities.

Poetry Lessons from Taylor Swift’s Lyrics

Taylor Swift’s lyrics offer a treasure trove of lessons for students learning about poetry. Her songs are rich with imagery, metaphor, and storytelling, turning everyday emotions into vivid poetic expressions. Students can explore how she uses rhyme, rhythm, and word choice to create mood and convey complex feelings. Taylor Swift’s ability to weave personal experiences into universal themes makes her work a great example of how poetry can reflect real life. By analyzing her songs, students can sharpen their skills in literary analysis, discover the power of narrative in verse, and gain a deeper appreciation for how poetry can connect to their own lives.

Have a blank space in your lesson plan?

Just like Taylor is known for hiding “Easter Eggs” in her appearances, public commentary and social media presence, her lyrics are full of reminders of common poetic devices. Select (age appropriate) lyrics and have students dive in to identify:

• Metaphor/Simile: Comparing two things to express ideas.
• Imagery: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.
• Rhyme and Rhythm: How patterns of sounds create flow and meaning.
• Symbolism: Using objects or actions to represent abstract ideas.

The Role of Celebrities in Shaping Online Discussions and Influencing Social Issues

How could Taylor Swift and other celebrities impact High School Civics class? The Grade 10 Civics and Citizenship course explores “using transferable skills, including using digital literacy and critical thinking to gather information and evaluate credibility and biases in both social media and traditional media.”Taylor Swift has emerged as one of the most influential voices in using celebrity platforms to address social issues. Beyond her music, Swift has harnessed her massive social media presence to speak out on topics that matter to her fans. Her ability to connect with millions of fans through platforms like Instagram and Twitter has turned her into a powerful force in shaping public discourse, particularly among younger generations. 

Students can explore how celebrities can use their visibility to amplify important issues, encourage activism, and spark societal change. Taylor’s  influence highlights the growing role of social media in modern activism, where the lines between celebrity culture and social responsibility are increasingly blurred.

Taylor Swift's Philanthropy: Using Her Platform to Make a Difference

Taylor Swift offers students valuable lessons in philanthropy through her charitable actions and commitment to social causes. Known for her generous donations and advocacy, she’s supported a wide range of issues, from education and disaster relief to local food banks and racial justice. Students can learn the importance of using their voice and resources to give back, whether through direct donations, fundraising, or raising awareness about important issues. Taylor’s approach to philanthropy shows that giving back can be a powerful way to create positive change and inspire others to do the same. Throughout the Eras Tour, Taylor Swift has made a powerful impact by donating to local charities at every stop, using her platform to support communities and causes in each city she visits. Have students explore the different ways Taylor has supported and uplifted the communities she has visited.

Not Always a “Love Story”

Taylor Swift's career has sparked both praise and criticism, making her a great example of how public figures deal with divisiveness.. While some people fiercely defend her, others criticize her for everything from her personal life to her musical evolution. This division offers a valuable lesson for students about respect for differing opinions. It encourages them to understand that respecting others means acknowledging differing perspectives—whether they’re fans or critics. With open conversations about Taylor Swift, parents and teachers should be prepared for differing perspectives. Swift’s ability to handle both praise and backlash with grace shows the importance of maintaining self-respect and standing by one's values, even in the face of disagreement. By examining her experiences, students can learn to engage with others respectfully, fostering empathy and understanding, even when opinions clash.

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The Taylor Swift Eras Tour offers more than just an opportunity to enjoy music—it provides a unique and engaging way for educators and parents to explore a variety of subjects with students of all ages. From the economics of large-scale events to the poetry of her lyrics, and even the impact of celebrity culture on social issues, Swift’s influence opens the door to meaningful classroom discussions. By tapping into her global impact, students can develop critical thinking skills, deepen their understanding of pop culture, and explore how art shapes both personal growth and societal change. Whether examining the power of storytelling or the complexities of public perception, Taylor Swift’s career offers valuable lessons that go beyond music and into the heart of what it means to be an active, thoughtful participant in today’s world.