MENSA Education & Research Foundation
Magical Musical Tour: Using Lyrics to Teach Literary Elements
Language arts learners don't need a lecture about poetry; they listen to poetry every day on the radio! Apply skills from literary analysis to famous songs and beautiful lyrics with a lesson about literary devices. As...
Curated OER
Lyrics Analysis Guide
Assist your learners as they unravel the wonders of lyric analysis. This resource breaks down the analysis process by hook, verse, and chorus. Each is briefly defined and is used to look at any song's lyrics in a systematic way.
National Constitution Center
Born in the U.S.A: Music as Political Protest
Though often used in shows of patriotism, Bruce Springsteen's 1985 song "Born in the U.S.A." is critical of America's role in the Vietnam war and its treatment of American veterans. High schoolers analyze the song's lyrics in an activity...
Moore Public Schools
Lyric Poetry
Discover lyric poetry through a reading of Sympathy by Paul Laurence Dunbar and analyze its meaning with three short-answer questions covering symbolism, personification, alliteration, metaphors, and similes.
Curated OER
MacBeth Activity Using Alanis Morissette's "Wake Up"
Students analyze Macbeth through the lens of a pop song. In this Macbeth lesson, students read Act I, Scene 7 of Macbeth and determine Lady Macbeth's viewpoint. Students read the lyrics to Alanis Morrissette's song 'Wake Up' and work in...
Curated OER
Poetry Assignment Instead of a Test
"The Last Song" by Bernie Taupin and Elton John is the inspiration for an analysis assignment. Individuals read the song and answer nine questions about the speaker, figurative language, and significance of the lyrics. Use this as an...
Curated OER
Sing a Song of Sixpence
In this language arts learning exercise, students collaborate with classmates to sing a classic nursery rhyme, "Sing a Song of Sixpence." Students read the lyrics and analyze the rhyme pattern. There is a link to a web site which has the...
Curated OER
Found Poem - Found Song, page 2
In this Louisiana musical landscape poem and song activity, students analyze a poem about the Mississippi River and Cajun music to learn more about the musical landscape in Louisiana.
Friends of Fort McHenry
Sensory “Star Spangled Banner”
Music can help us to access memories and events in a meaningful way, and Francis Scott Key used specific words to convey what he had seen and felt when writing what would become America's national anthem. Help your class connect to...
Curated OER
Wanted, a Substitute
In this primary source analysis activity, students analyze an American Civil War song. Students respond to 5 short answer questions about the song and its lyrics.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: A Racist Tirade Spotlights the N-Word
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about racial epithets and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Corrido of the Uprooted Ones
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students analyze the song "Corrido of the Uprooted Ones." Students respond to 3 short answer questions about the lyrics of the song.
National Park Service
The Poet's Toolbox
If you need a lesson for your poetry unit, use two poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ("Rain in Summer" and "The Slave in the Dismal Swamp") and a resource on Elements of Poetry. The lesson plan guides you through activities...
Curated OER
Through My Eyes...How I See Relationships
In this relationships worksheet, students read shorts stories about relationships and then analyze the relationships in their own lives. Students then tell a visual story about their relationships using photographs from their lives.