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High School Grade
- Project
- 8 weeks
Harmonious Hearts: Crafting a Mother's Day Anthem
Purpose
Students will collaboratively compose a Mother's Day song, exploring and integrating various musical elements such as rhythm, storytelling, music styles, and rhymes. Over the course of eight weeks, they will engage in hands-on activities that allow them to experiment with different musical techniques and express their personal narratives. The project culminates in a live performance, where students showcase their creative work and celebrate the unique role of mothers through music.
Learning goals
Students will explore and apply rhythmic patterns, storytelling techniques, different music styles, and rhyming structures to compose a unique Mother's Day song. They will collaborate to integrate these musical elements, creating a cohesive piece that honors and celebrates mothers. The project will culminate in a live performance, allowing students to showcase their creativity and understanding of how these elements combine to convey emotion and meaning through music.
Standards
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.5: Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.RL.4: Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
Products
Students will collaboratively compose an original Mother's Day song, integrating rhythmic patterns, storytelling elements, and various music styles. They will write lyrics that incorporate rhymes and personal anecdotes to celebrate mothers. The project will culminate in a live performance, where students will showcase their song to an audience, highlighting their understanding of how musical elements can convey emotion and appreciation.
Launch
Kick off the project with a listening session where students explore a variety of songs dedicated to mothers, analyzing the use of rhythm, rhyme, and storytelling. Follow this with a collaborative discussion where students identify common musical elements and themes that resonate with them. Encourage students to share personal stories or memories about their mothers, which can serve as inspiration for their own compositions. Conclude the launch by having students brainstorm in small groups, sketching initial ideas for their Mother's Day song.
Exhibition
Students will perform their Mother's Day song live in a school-wide showcase, inviting family and friends to attend. They will introduce the song by sharing insights into the musical elements they used, such as rhythm and rhyme, and the storytelling techniques that shaped their composition. The event will also include a Q&A session where students can discuss their creative process and the music styles they explored.
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
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| Activities |
Kick-off the project with a listening session where students explore a variety of songs dedicated to mothers. Analyze these songs for their use of rhythm, rhyme, and storytelling.
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Facilitate a collaborative discussion for students to identify common musical elements and themes that resonate with them from the listening session.
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Encourage students to share personal stories or memories about their mothers, which can serve as inspiration for their own song compositions.
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In small groups, have students brainstorm and sketch initial ideas for their Mother's Day song, focusing on potential themes and messages they wish to convey.
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| Deliverables |
1. A group brainstorming document outlining initial ideas for the Mother's Day song, including themes, potential lyrics, and any identified musical elements.
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| Preparation |
1. Prepare a playlist of diverse songs dedicated to mothers, focusing on various music styles and lyrical content that highlight different storytelling techniques.
2. Create guiding questions to help students analyze songs during the listening session, focusing on rhythm, rhyme, and storytelling. 3. Set up a collaborative online platform or physical space where students can document their brainstorming ideas and share initial thoughts. 4. Arrange classroom seating to facilitate small group discussions and brainstorming sessions. |
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| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Begin the week with a workshop on basic rhythmic patterns. Students will experiment with creating rhythms using percussion instruments or body percussion.
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In small groups, students will select a rhythm they enjoy and want to integrate into their Mother's Day song. They will practice and refine this rhythm together.
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Facilitate a creative writing session where students draft initial rhyming couplets or verses inspired by their brainstormed themes and personal stories from Week 1.
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Students will share their rhythmic patterns and lyrics drafts with the class for feedback, fostering a supportive environment where they can refine their ideas.
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| Deliverables |
1. Each group will submit a recorded video of their chosen rhythmic pattern.
2. Each student will provide a draft of rhyming couplets or verses that they intend to develop further. |
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| Preparation |
1. Gather a variety of percussion instruments or prepare materials for body percussion exercises.
2. Prepare a mini-lesson on basic rhythmic patterns, including examples from different music styles. 3. Set up a space for students to practice and record their rhythmic patterns. 4. Provide guidance on effective peer feedback strategies to ensure constructive and supportive critique sessions. |
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| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Conduct a collaborative session where students explore different music styles such as pop, jazz, country, and classical to understand how these styles influence rhythm and storytelling.
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Students in small groups will experiment by blending different music styles with their chosen rhythms to create a unique sound for their Mother's Day song.
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Facilitate a lyric writing workshop focused on incorporating personal anecdotes and storytelling elements that align with the chosen music style.
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Have students share their blended music style experiments and revised lyrics with the class, receiving peer feedback and suggestions for improvement.
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| Deliverables |
1. Each group will submit a recorded audio or video of their music style and rhythm blend.
2. Revised lyrics that incorporate storytelling elements, reflecting the chosen music style. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prepare examples of songs from various music styles, focusing on how rhythm and storytelling are used uniquely in each style.
2. Arrange access to music software or instruments that can help students experiment with blending music styles. 3. Design a mini-lesson on storytelling in music, highlighting techniques for integrating personal anecdotes into lyrics. 4. Organize a peer feedback session format to ensure constructive and supportive class discussions. |
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| Week 4 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Facilitate a melody composition workshop where students learn how to create melodies that complement their lyrics. Discuss the relationship between melody, rhythm, and storytelling.
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In small groups, students will experiment with creating different melodies for their lyrics, using instruments or digital music software.
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Conduct a session where students refine their melodies by aligning them with their rhythmic patterns and chosen music styles from previous weeks.
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Host a class sharing session where each group presents their melody and receives feedback on how well it integrates with their lyrics and rhythm.
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| Deliverables |
1. Each group will submit a recorded version of their melody, demonstrating how it complements their lyrics and rhythm.
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| Preparation |
1. Prepare a mini-lesson on basic melody composition techniques, including examples from various music styles.
2. Ensure access to instruments or digital music software for students to experiment with melody creation. 3. Set up a space for students to practice and record their melodies. 4. Provide guidelines for constructive peer feedback, focusing on melody-lyrics integration. |
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| Week 5 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Begin the week with a workshop on song arrangement and structure, discussing elements such as verses, chorus, bridge, and intro/outro.
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In small groups, students will use their existing lyrics, rhythm, and melodies to draft a structured arrangement for their Mother's Day song.
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Facilitate a recording session where students experiment with layering vocals and instrumental tracks using digital music software.
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Conduct a feedback session where each group presents their song arrangement, discussing the flow and coherence of the musical elements.
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| Deliverables |
1. Each group will submit a draft of their song arrangement, outlining the sequence of verses, chorus, and other sections.
2. A recorded demo of their song showing the arrangement and any initial layering of tracks. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prepare a mini-lesson on song arrangement techniques, using examples from popular songs to illustrate different structures.
2. Ensure access to digital music software and recording equipment for students to experiment with song layering. 3. Set up a space for recording sessions, ensuring it is conducive to capturing clear audio. 4. Provide templates or guidelines for students to document their song arrangement and sequence. |
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| Week 6 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
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| Activities |
Conduct a session on refining and enhancing vocal delivery, emphasizing techniques for expressing emotion and dynamics in the performance.
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Students will practice singing their group's song, focusing on vocal expression and group cohesion. Encourage students to incorporate feedback to enhance their performance.
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Facilitate a music production workshop where students learn basic editing techniques to polish their recorded tracks, including adjusting levels and adding effects where needed.
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Host a class rehearsal where each group presents their improved song. Encourage peer feedback focusing on vocal delivery and the overall impact of the song.
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| Deliverables |
1. Each group will submit a finalized audio recording of their song, incorporating vocal improvements and production edits.
2. A reflection document where students outline the changes made in their vocal delivery and production, explaining how these changes enhance the song. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prepare a mini-lesson on vocal techniques for emotion and dynamics, including examples and exercises.
2. Ensure access to music editing software and provide basic instructions for students to use it effectively. 3. Set up a space conducive to rehearsals and recording, ensuring equipment is available and functional. 4. Provide guidance on peer feedback, specifically focusing on vocal performance and production quality. |
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| Week 7 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Organize a dress rehearsal for the live performance, where students perform their Mother's Day song in full, focusing on stage presence, transitions, and timing.
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Facilitate a session on performance techniques, emphasizing audience engagement, stage movement, and the emotional connection to the song.
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Conduct a peer review session where groups provide feedback on each other's performances, focusing on strengths and areas for improvement to refine their final presentation.
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Have students work on finalizing any visual or digital media elements they plan to use during their live performance, such as slideshows or backdrops.
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| Deliverables |
1. A recorded video of the dress rehearsal performance.
2. A detailed performance plan outlining stage movements, transitions, and media use. |
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| Preparation |
1. Arrange a suitable space for the dress rehearsal, ensuring it mirrors the actual performance setting as closely as possible.
2. Prepare a mini-lesson on effective performance techniques, including examples from live performances. 3. Set up video recording equipment to capture the dress rehearsal for review. 4. Ensure students have access to resources for creating media elements, such as computers or software for slideshow creation. |
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| Week 8 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
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| Activities |
Conduct a final rehearsal session where students perform their Mother's Day song, focusing on perfecting their delivery and ensuring all elements are cohesive.
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Facilitate a reflection session where students share insights about their creative process, challenges faced, and how they overcame them.
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Organize the live performance event, where students present their Mother's Day song to an audience, incorporating any visual or digital media elements prepared.
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Host a post-performance discussion and celebration, where students receive feedback from the audience and celebrate their achievements.
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| Deliverables |
1. A live performance of the Mother's Day song for an audience.
2. A reflection document detailing each student's learning experience and personal growth throughout the project. |
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| Preparation |
1. Coordinate the logistics for the live performance, including venue setup, sound equipment, and audience seating arrangements.
2. Prepare a schedule for the performance day, ensuring smooth transitions between student groups. 3. Organize a feedback mechanism for audience members to share their thoughts on the performance. 4. Prepare certificates or tokens of recognition to celebrate student participation and success in the project. |
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