Lessons

 

RESOURCES

Songwriting Handout 1

Songwriting Handout 2

 

TARGETED STANDARDS

Lesson 4 Standards

 

 

 

 

 

Language Arts

 

Lesson 4

Lesson Title:  The Book that Saved the Band - Lesson 4

Synopsis: In Lesson 4: "The Band" (students) will compose instrumental music that fits the particular mood, plot or theme of one or more songs, and record and/or perform the music.

Authors:  J. Finn & T. Rudolph

Interdisciplinary Pairing: 

  • Primarily Language Arts
  • Secondary subjects include:
    • Music
    • Multimedia (optional) 

Objectives: 

  • Compose instrumental music that fits the particular mood, plot or theme of one or more songs.
  • Record and or perform the music

Intended Grade Level:

Middle School

Prior Knowledge & Skills: 

  • Comprehension of the selected novel
  • Analysis of the selected novel
  • Exposure to poetic devices such as simile, metaphor, imagery, etc.
  • Exposure to simple song structure (verse/chorus/rhyme).
  • Experience with writing poems/songs based on the novel.
  • Exposure to song cycle such as those listed below – Materials.
  • All songs in the cycle are completed.

Equipment:

  • Music Production software such as GarageBand (Mac), Home Studio (Windows), Acid Music Studio (Windows).  The capability to compose music using loops, rhythm tracks, samples, sound effects, recording capability.
  • Computers with recording capability and a CD burner. Minimum of one computer with Music Production software for each band.
  • Optional: students perform and record playing instruments of their choosing. This will require a microphone input into the computer and music production software.

Duration:  The concept could be introduced in one 45 minute class period. The completion of the recording can take place over several additional class periods which is recommended.

Materials:

Procedure:

  • Complete some or all of the procedures in Lesson 1, 2, and 3 [add a direct link to each lesson]
  • The student group members (the band) will allocate responsibilities for the recording. Each band should have access to its own computer with Music Production software installed.
  • Each band can work collectively on each song or, if multiple computers per band are available, they can work on multiple songs at one time.
  • As the band composes the music for the individual songs, the students should continually evaluate how the music they are creating matches the story that they are telling. 
  • If you are continuing to lesson 5 (recording vocals/lyrics) these two lessons can happen simultaneously so that the recording of voice/lyrics and music is more integrated. If desired, teacher can require more formal musical structure (form, harmony, melody, etc.)
  • Band members musically embellish the song(s) with additional tracks such as percussion, pad, sound effects and other parts to create a complete orchestration. This could be done in lesson 5.
  • Songs could be linked together in a medley if band members choose.
  • Composing songs within specified time limit. One or more songs can be composed

    • See lessons 5, 6, and 7 If you choose not to produce music, proceed to lesson 8.

Evaluation:

  • Link to filename: CDprojectSTEP2.cwk [note: this AppleWorks file should be converted to Word and PDF]
  • The teacher can decide the level of evaluation. For example, the teacher may wish to evaluate individual members contribution to group in terms of preparedness and work ethic.

Links & Resources:

Lesson Extension(s):

  • Continue with project. Move to Lesson 5.

 

 

 

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