Students examine the themes and structure of a bluegrass song and identify the common themes in bluegrass music. They practice songwriting by rewriting the lyrics of "Oh! Susanna" as a bluegrass tune.
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Magical Musical Tour: Using Music Lyrics to Teach Literary Elements
While music lyrics are often used to teach literary elements, the richness of this resource comes from the wealth of exercises, activities, and support materials provided in the packet. Although designed for gifted learners, the...
8th - 11th English Language Arts CCSS: Adaptable
Songwriting Skill - Using Figurative Language: Miley Cyrus - “Driveway”
Miley Cyrus' "Driveway" provides young lyricists with an opportunity to identify figurative language in songs. After a guided practice exercise, individuals use the provided worksheets to find examples in the song and to add images to...
5th - 10th English Language Arts CCSS: Adaptable
A Study Guide for The Phantom of the Opera
Immerse yourself in the beautiful, twisted world of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. A detailed lesson plan provides important details about the writing, stagecraft, music, and literary elements of the famous musical, as...
9th - 12th English Language Arts CCSS: Adaptable
Singing the Blues with Garageband
Music composition can be easy with a little software assistance. The class uses Garageband to listen to, write, sing, and record a blues song. They listen to the song provided through the software, write their own lyrics to the song,...
5th - 8th Visual & Performing Arts
The Poetics of Hip Hop
The Bard, Nikki Giovanni, Mos Def? “Sonnet 18,” Ego Tripping,” and “Black on Both Sides”? Sure! It’s the poetics. Class members compare the lyrics, rhythm, and rhyme in classic poetry to hip-hop in a richly detailed resource that...
9th - 12th English Language Arts CCSS: Designed
Music: "Hearing Between The Lines"
The class listens to and reads lyrics from popular songs that explore themes of self-esteem, body image, and eating disorders. The song interpretations will serve as a jumping-off point to deeper discussion on the issues, culminating in...
7th - 12th Visual & Performing Arts
Slowing Down Time (in Writing & Film)
How do you slowmo a story? The narrator of a short video models how to slow down the pace of a narrative by using concepts drawn from slow motion filming. Just as slow motion in a film is achieved by speeding up the process so that more...
6 mins 7th - 12th English Language Arts CCSS: Adaptable