6th, 7th, 8th Grades
Project
6 weeks
Mystery Melodies: AI Tunes & Grooves
1-pager
Purpose
The purpose of the Mystery Soundtrack Series is to engage students in a creative exploration of music composition using AI tools, enhancing their understanding of sound design in storytelling. Through hands-on challenges, students will develop skills in curating playlists, creating character theme songs, and designing scene scores, all while considering the impact of music on audience perception. The project culminates in a showcase where students present their musical contributions, reflecting on their learning journey and the role of music in building suspense and intrigue in a mystery show.
Learning goals
Students will develop an understanding of how AI tools can be utilized to enhance creativity in music composition and storytelling. They will learn to identify and apply key elements of sound design to create suspense and intrigue in a mystery show. Through hands-on experimentation, students will gain skills in manipulating musical parameters to achieve desired effects and moods, while also honing their ability to critically evaluate and refine their work through peer and professional feedback.
Standards
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
- 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.R.7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
Products
Throughout the Mystery Soundtrack Series project, students will create a curated pre-show and afterparty playlist, complete with liner notes and an artist statement. They will develop theme songs for main characters, including musical bios and character write-ups. Additionally, students will compose an original soundtrack or layered loops for key scenes, accompanied by cue sheets detailing timing and emotional cues. By the end of the project, students will present their musical contributions at the Exhibition Night, showcasing their final portfolio with written reflections and cue sheets.
Launch
To kick off the Mystery Soundtrack Series, students will participate in an interactive workshop where they explore AI music tools. They'll experiment with generating sounds that evoke different emotions, such as suspense or celebration, and discuss how these sounds can influence storytelling. As a group, they'll create a short, improvised soundtrack for a mystery scene, setting the stage for their upcoming challenges. This hands-on experience will ignite curiosity and lay the foundation for understanding the role of music in theatrical productions.
Exhibition
Students will present their curated playlists and soundtracks during the Mystery Night Exhibition, where their musical creations will set the atmosphere for the event. As guests arrive, students will introduce their work with a brief spoken or printed artist statement, explaining how their musical choices enhance the storytelling experience. The exhibition will feature live feedback sessions with guest musicians, allowing students to engage with professionals and refine their work based on expert insights. This interactive showcase will highlight students' creative processes and the role of AI tools in music composition, offering an immersive experience for both participants and attendees.
Plan
| Week 1 | Day 1 |
|---|---|
| Activities |
Introduction to AI Music Tools - Explore various AI music generation tools and discuss their potential impact on creativity in storytelling (35 min)
Sound Emotion Workshop - Experiment with creating sounds that evoke emotions like suspense and celebration using AI tools (35 min)
Group Soundtrack Creation - Collaboratively create a short, improvised soundtrack for a mystery scene to understand music's role in storytelling (35 min)
|
| Deliverables |
1. A draft pre-show playlist with at least 5 songs, including AI-generated suggestions and initial adjustments
2. A written artist statement draft explaining the mood and intention behind the chosen playlist |
| Preparation |
1. Ensure access to AI music generation tools and technology for all students
2. Prepare a sample playlist to demonstrate how music can set the mood for a mystery show 3. Organize a classroom space for group work and presentations, including audio equipment for playing soundtracks 4. Gather examples of sounds that evoke different emotions to inspire students during the workshop |
| Week 2 | Day 1 |
|---|---|
| Activities |
Introduction to AI Music Tools - Explore AI tools for music composition to understand their potential for creating mood and atmosphere (25 min)
Hands-On AI Experimentation - Generate sounds using AI tools and discuss how different sounds can evoke emotions such as suspense or excitement (40 min)
Group Reflection - Share experiences and insights gained from experimenting with AI music tools, focusing on creativity in storytelling (40 min)
|
| Deliverables |
1. One selected or AI-generated theme song per main character
2. A short musical bio or analysis for each theme song that explains the students' choices and what the song reveals or hides about the character |
| Preparation |
1. Prepare a list of AI music tools and resources for students to explore and use.
2. Gather examples of effective theme songs from various media for class discussion. 3. Set up a digital platform where students can share their theme songs and receive peer feedback. 4. Arrange for any necessary technology or equipment, such as laptops or tablets, for students to access AI music tools. |
| Week 3 | Day 1 |
|---|---|
| Activities |
Playlist Refinement - Refine pre-show and afterparty playlists using peer feedback, focusing on mood-setting effectiveness (30 min)
Liner Notes Drafting - Write detailed liner notes for 3 key songs, explaining their mood-setting roles (45 min)
Artist Statement Development - Begin drafting an artist statement that articulates how the music sets the mood for mystery or celebration (30 min)
|
| Deliverables |
1. Initial soundtrack or layered loops for the selected scene.
2. Scene Soundtrack Summary: A written description of the scene, the intention behind the music, and the emotional cues highlighted. |
| Preparation |
1. Ensure access to AI music composition tools and provide a brief tutorial on their use.
2. Gather a list of key scenes from the mystery show for students to choose from. 3. Prepare a feedback form to guide peer review sessions, focusing on emotional impact and narrative support. 4. Set up a digital platform for sharing and reviewing soundtracks, ensuring students can easily upload and access each other's work. |
| Week 4 | Day 1 |
|---|---|
| Activities |
Character Theme Exploration - Use AI tools to experiment with creating different theme songs for each main character, focusing on how music reflects personality traits (35 min)
Character Write-Up Drafting - Begin writing a musical bio for each character, explaining the rationale behind the chosen theme song and its narrative role (35 min)
Peer Review Session - Share character themes and written drafts with classmates for feedback on musical choices and narrative alignment (35 min)
|
| Deliverables |
1. Revised original soundtrack or layered loops for a key scene, incorporating timing and emotional cues
2. Updated cue sheet detailing timing, track titles, and purpose for the revised soundtrack 3. A reflection paragraph summarizing the feedback received and how it was used to improve the soundtrack |
| Preparation |
1. Arrange for guest musicians or sound designers to attend the critique session
2. Ensure access to AI music tools and software for students to refine their soundtracks 3. Prepare a feedback form or guide to facilitate peer review sessions 4. Set up a classroom space conducive to presenting and sharing musical pieces |
| Week 5 | Day 1 |
|---|---|
| Activities |
Peer Review Session - Present and receive feedback on pre-show playlists and character theme songs, focusing on mood-setting and character alignment (30 min)
Revise Playlists and Theme Songs - Integrate peer feedback to refine playlists and theme songs, ensuring they effectively set the mood and support character development (45 min)
Start Scene Soundtrack Draft - Begin composing an original soundtrack or layered loops for a key scene using AI tools, focusing on timing and emotional cues (30 min)
|
| Deliverables |
1. Revised playlists, character theme songs, and scene scores that incorporate feedback from peer and professional critiques.
2. Reflection write-up on how feedback was integrated and the impact it had on their music composition. |
| Preparation |
1. Arrange for guest musicians or sound designers to participate in the critique session.
2. Set up a space conducive to playing and discussing music, with necessary audio equipment. 3. Provide students with a feedback template to guide peer review sessions. 4. Prepare reflection prompts to facilitate student self-assessment and integration of feedback. |
| Week 6 | Day 1 |
|---|---|
| Activities |
Final Playlist Presentation - Present curated pre-show and afterparty playlists to peers and guest musicians for feedback, focusing on mood-setting effectiveness (35 min)
Reflective Writing - Draft an artist statement explaining how the chosen music enhances storytelling, with prompts on challenges and AI usage (35 min)
Portfolio Compilation - Begin assembling final portfolio, including playlists, theme songs, liner notes, and reflections (35 min)
|
| Deliverables |
1. Finalized pre-show and afterparty playlists with liner notes
2. Completed theme songs and musical bios for main characters 3. Original scene scores with cue sheets detailing timing and emotional cues 4. Comprehensive portfolio including written reflections and cue sheets 5. Prepared showcase presentation, featuring artist statements and musical contributions |
| Preparation |
1. Ensure availability of AI music tools and software for final tweaks
2. Arrange guest musicians or sound designers for critique sessions 3. Prepare feedback forms and guidelines for peer review sessions 4. Set up audio equipment and listening stations for the exhibition 5. Print or display artist statements and reflections for the exhibition 6. Coordinate logistical details for exhibition space setup |