After watching the three videos (Same Love by Macklemore, Truly Brave mash-up by Bareilles/Lauper, and People Like Us by Clarkson), I want you to pose at least two questions
for the group about what you heard and saw, and I want you to come up with one
lesson idea (written up in purely idea format; i.e. I could teach a lesson on
making connections by having the students list personal connections they have
to some lyric in one of the songs – you can get a little more specific and for
younger kids, you’d provide a much stricter guideline). Examples of questions:
How could you use this/these song(s) in your class/content area – target it to
a specific content area. Your goal: What deeper messages are at play in the
songs and how could you use this to get kids to think/write/react? When might
you use one or all of these songs in your classroom? Why would you use one or
all of these songs in your classroom? Be specific and answer ALL questions!
Post by Wednesday, June 3rd at midnight; respond to each classmate by Saturday at midnight.
I have heard all of these songs on the radio. However, I have never watched the videos. Watching the videos adds to the meaning of the songs.
ReplyDeleteSong artists use a lot of metaphors, similes, and many other types of figures of speech.
Two questions that I came up with relative to figurative speech would be: Given the list of lyrics, what is each song talking about, and how would you incorporate the meanings of the songs in your classroom to improve critical thinking skills? What common theme do the three songs share, and what other activities would you do for students to make the connections between the three songs?
An English teacher could very well use these songs in their lesson plans.There are many things an English teacher has to do in order for students to understand figures of speech, how to write and essay, and many other lessons.
Relative to my two questions, my lesson idea would be to hand out lyrics to the three songs and have students read those lyrics quietly to themselves. After about 20 min. or so, I would have students write down what they think the songs mean. I would then play the three videos so that students are able to put the lyrics into perspective and see how close they were to the original meaning. After watching the videos, I would break down line by line, sentence by sentence, and have students analyze the lyrics once more. This way they are able to use their critical thinking skills. This lesson would be great during the figures of speech unit. I would have certain words (figures of speech-similes, metaphors, etc) underlined prior to handing out the lyrics and have my students write what type of figure of speech those words are. Finally, I would have students brainstorm about what they think the common theme between the three songs are and how it applies to social, emotional, and physical life.
The deeper messages in these songs relate to acceptance of who people are. Equality was another big factor in these songs. Whether one was straight or homosexual, sick or healthy, rich or poor, etc, everyone needs to accept each other no matter what. I would get my students to think by having them critical think and write down what they think the songs mean and have them relate it to their personal lives to see if they have had to deal with equality issues. I might use these songs in my classroom if I were to teach figures of speech. I would use all of these songs in my classroom so that students are able to make connections with common themes between the three songs. Using all three songs will also show students that they are not the only ones that may face equality issues.
I too agree that students should be willing to accept one another. The topics that are brought up in the songs are certain things that students of any age should relate to and understand. I believe that your lesson plan and questions would have students understand that these are important and relevant to them and their peers. They would gain lot of knowledge from these stated above.
DeleteMariah, I liked a lot of different things from your response. I liked that you noticed the various figures of speech used in the song, and how the music could help students develop in that area. Also, your lesson plan was very detailed and it could be a great lesson plan to develop critical thinking and English skills. Finally, you touched on how important is is for students to make connections to their own lives when presented material. I think that is one of the best ways for students to learn.
DeleteI had only heard the song by Macklemore initially, but all these songs touch on some emotional issues and have good messages for any person to hear.
ReplyDeleteThe two questions I pose for my content area would be in regards to secondary English would be:
What emotions do you feel from just from reading the lyrics (if handed out first) and then what emotions come about after watching the music videos (second)?
Also, what elements within the lyrics and video (content, verbiage, literary techniques) make the song so effective in talking about these issues (homosexuality, diseases, different or special people)?
For my lesson plan I would have my students first read the lyrics to themselves, and answer the questions of what emotions they felt after reading the lyrics for each song. After about five minutes for the students to write their responses, I would have the class share out loud with everyone. I would write the emotions or key words the students share on the board. Then I would play the music video for each song, and have the students write down their responses again, seeing if the video aspect effected the way they felt. I would then have the student share their responses again and compare the emotions that came about from just having the lyrics to actually watching the video. Then I would ask if the music video helped display the message or the song or if the lyrics could just stand on their own for each song?
Moving forward I would ask the students what content do the lyrics have that make the message within the song so effective (I would have the students look at the literary techniques used, the content itself, and verbs used in the lyrics)? I would personally choose lyrics from the songs, in particular the Macklemore rapping section, how he uses the rhyming, to tie in a poetic aspect to the lesson as well. I would have the students choose lyrics as well that are effective in talking about these issues.
Finally, I would ask the student about the videos and what aspects or images helped display the messages the song talk about. I would ask the students if the visual aspect helped them understand the messages in the song as well. I would then ask, what you think the overall theme is for these songs. Then for a project, I would let me students choose if they would want to try to write a song or poem or even create a music video that evokes emotion like these songs. I would have the students tell me their topic, but I want them to focus on provoking emotion, because I think a major aspect of writing is creating a connection emotionally with what you are writing or creating.
In conclusion, the deeper messages in these songs basically show how humans come from all different backgrounds or dispositions, but when it comes down to it, we are all humans, and we all deserve the same chances or opportunities. Also, those who may be different or experiencing hardships, like some of the people in the videos, still need to be brave and embrace their situation, and know there are people out there that will help and support them.
I would use these songs when introducing poetry to my class or when we discuss what makes writing impactful and emotional. Also, just from a humanity standpoint these songs talk about prevalent issues in today’s world and it teaches that we must be mindful to these issues.
I would use these songs because they tie in very well to literary aspects and just basic issues that all students should talk about and respect in their everyday life.
Tyler,
DeleteGreat response! It seems like our mindset is alike in how we would form an activity and create a lesson plan. I like how you chose a different set of questions that relate more towards different aspects of the English language itself. I think it is very neat that you would use these songs/videos as your introduction to poetry lesson.
I totally agree that students should talk about and think about the topics presented in these songs. Along with other topics that are prevalent in today's society. Your lesson plan and questions would do a very good job at addressing this topics.
DeleteI have heard all of these songs before, and I have really enjoyed them. These songs, more than most, have more meaning behind them, and makes you actually think about them rather than just beats and words.
ReplyDeleteMy questions are:
1. What did you envision this music video being like (if listened to before watching the video) and how different was the video to what you thought before hand?
2. Why is presenting these types of topics through music a more effective way of getting people to "listen" to and understand them?
A lesson plan that I could see being used effectively in the classroom is to have the students listen to the songs ( like my other classmates have said ) but have them wrote down what they could see the music video being like. This provides them with the opportunity to use there imagination and basically make a music video to the songs they listened to. Once they have written down their idea on what the music videos could be like (around 15 min) then show them the actual videos. Once all have been shown allow the students to share with the class what they thought and why they envisioned that. Have the class compare and contrast the differences in their written videos with the actual ones and turn that in.
This allows the students to really listen to the words and feel them. They must think of an actual physical representation of what the lyrics are meaning with the video they think up. While they write their interpretations of what these songs could "look" like they really are able to think deeply about the topics being discussed with in the songs.
I would use these songs in my classroom when the topics are relevant. For example: I will be teaching middle school and in middle school is when kids have many questions. My lesson plan, along with others presented, would be very effective ways of having students really think about the topics they have questions about especially ones that are highly debated and discussed in society today. I'd use these songs when, like said before, when students have an issue or questions about the topics these songs present. If students have issues with these or just want to talk about them, using these songs would get them to critically think about the topics and hopefully provide an understanding that they didn't previously have.
Ryan,
DeleteIt is interesting that you came up with a different approach of relaying the information to your students like Tyler and I did. It seems like we all have the same idea when it comes to how we would form a lesson plan and involve our students. This is good! I really like how you would have students listen to the songs and write down what they imagine the video being like. Then comparing and contrasting their ideas with the actual music videos is a great approach!
Ryan,
DeleteIt is interesting that you came up with a different approach of relaying the information to your students like Tyler and I did. It seems like we all have the same idea when it comes to how we would form a lesson plan and involve our students. This is good! I really like how you would have students listen to the songs and write down what they imagine the video being like. Then comparing and contrasting their ideas with the actual music videos is a great approach!
Ryan, seeing that all of our lesson plans were similar, I appreciate that you found a different way to ask your students to learn. I think it would be very beneficial for students to have them write down what they think the video would be like then watch it. It is kind of like the before, during, and after idea when reading a certain material. Also, I agree that visualizing is helpful for students as well, so they can make connections about ideas.
Delete