Curated OER
Broccoli
Students sing a song and figure out the rhythm notation for pharases while describing the benefits of broccoli. They compose a four-measure pattern using the rhythms of these phrases. They play the rhythm patterns with the recording.
Curated OER
Jack and the Beanstalk
Students create a creative interpretation of Jack and the Beanstalk. In this artistic expression lesson, students paint the stages of the beanstalk plant as a storyboard and create song about how the seed is growing.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Song Writing
This lesson engages students in writing lyrics to songs. Students will use free musical software to aid students as they put their lyrics to a tune and tempo.
Other
Guide to Writing Lyrics
A complete guide to writing lyrics for songs and jingles. Provides good advice and insight in the art of writing lyrics.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: An I Pod Inspired Poetry Lesson: Poems vs Lyrics
After listening and analyzing song lyrics and, subsequently, doing the same analysis with poems, students will discover how similar song writing and poetry writing can be. Students will get their own chance to write a small version of...
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music: Lesson One: Finding the Story in the Song
In this lesson, students will identify and discuss themes expressed in song lyrics, analyze the social use and historical meaning of a song, and write a verse of a song drawing on contemporary events.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: An I Pod Inspired Poetry Lesson: Favorite Things Poetry
Using the song "My Favorite Things" from the musical, The Sound of Music, as inspiration, students will create their own song or poem (to the same tune) that lists their favorite things. Each verse will focus on their favorite things...
Other
Musical English Lessons
Learn English vocabulary and grammar through songs from a wide range of famous pop artists from the Beatles and Elvis to contemporary standouts like Avil Lavigne, Good Charlotte, and James Blunt. Find an exercise by grammar or vocabulary...
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Rap as Lyrical Poetry
Here is an excellent way to engage your students in the study of poetry; use rap! PBS provides the materials you will need. Students will examine central themes, hip hop culture, political, social and cultural events that may have...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Ain't That America
Students think that classic literature and historic events have little in common with life today, right? Think again! In this lesson, students get a chance to compare themes from classic novels or from American history to those found in...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Stairway to Heaven Examining Metaphor in Popular Music
Contains plans for two lessons that ask students to make connections between literary texts and popular culture texts like song lyrics. After checking popular culture texts for literary elements, these elements are then examined in...
Other
The Official George Crumb Home Page
The official site, with sections devoted to his life, compositions, recordings, writings, and news. The news section has internet links, and the site has a search function!
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, an American vocal group that helped define the Motown sound of the 1960s and was led by one of the most gifted and influential singer-songwriters in...