9th Grade
Project
4 weeks
"Verse and Vinyl: Style Unleashed!"
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Purpose
In the first two weeks, students will delve into the core content of poetry and argumentative essays, researching different genres and exploring how personal experiences and cultural influences shape individual styles. This project invites students to express their unique styles through the creation of a poetry and music album. By blending personal experiences with cultural influences, students will engage in a creative process that involves songwriting, poetry writing, and album production. Through collaboration with local musicians and hands-on experiences at Eagles Theatre, students will gain real-world insights into the music industry. The culmination of this project will be an exhibition where students present their albums to parents, musicians, and the community, showcasing their artistic journey and individual styles.
Learning goals
During the first two weeks, students will delve into poetry styles and songwriting techniques, focusing on how personal and cultural influences shape creative expression. They will research music genres and analyze their impact on style and narrative, honing their argumentative writing skills. In the following weeks, students will craft poems and songs, refining their work through critique and revision, leading to the creation of a recorded album. The project will culminate in an exhibition where students will present their artistic styles and influences.
Standards
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3: 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.RL.9-10.5: Analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it, and manipulate time create effects such as mystery, tension, or surprise.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.
Products
Over the first two weeks, students will explore core content by researching different genres and writing argumentative essays on their findings. They will then create a collaborative album featuring original songs and poems, complete with a custom-designed cover. Throughout the project, they will maintain a songwriting workbook that includes daily reflections, drafts, and revisions. This workbook will serve as a personal portfolio showcasing their creative journey and growth in understanding different genres and styles. The final album, along with the workbooks, will be presented at an exhibition attended by parents, local musicians, and community partners, highlighting the students' unique styles and cultural influences.
Launch
Begin the project with an immersive visit to Eagles Theatre to explore the recording studio, offering students a firsthand look at the music production process. Follow this with a trip to a local record shop to research and analyze various musical genres, integrating core content in poetry and argumentative essays during the first two weeks. Engage students in creating a song using AI tools to inspire creativity and innovation. These experiences will prompt students to reflect on how personal experiences and cultural influences shape their unique style in creative expression.
Exhibition
Students will host a live showcase event at Eagles Theatre, where they will present their complete albums, including both the recorded songs and the poetry that inspired them. Parents, local musicians, and community partners will be invited to attend, providing a real-world audience for students to share their creative work. The event will feature live performances of selected songs, readings of poems, and a gallery-style display of album covers and songwriters' workbooks. This exhibition will allow students to engage with their community and receive feedback from a diverse audience, exploring the essential question: How do personal experiences and cultural influences shape an individual's unique style in creative expression?
Plan
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Project Launch at Eagles Theatre - Visit Eagles Theatre for an immersive experience in the recording studio and learn about the music production process (45 min)
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Exploring Genres - Visit a local record shop to explore and discuss various musical genres and styles (30 min)
Reflective Journaling - Begin a songwriting journal to document initial thoughts on personal style and cultural influences (15 min)
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AI Song Creation - Introduce AI tools to create a collaborative song, encouraging innovation and creativity (25 min)
Essential Question Exploration - Discuss how personal experiences and cultural influences shape individual style in creative expression (20 min)
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Poetry Styles Introduction - Explore various poetry styles and connect them to music genres (25 min)
Daily Reflection - Reflect in journals on personal connections to different poetry styles and genres (20 min)
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Argumentative Essay Workshop - Begin drafting an essay on how personal and cultural influences impact style, supporting with examples from the week's experiences (30 min)
Share and Discuss - Share initial essay drafts with peers for feedback and discuss insights gained from the week's activities (15 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completion of a poem that reflects personal experiences and cultural influences.
2. Draft of a song idea using AI tools. |
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| Preparation |
1. Arrange transportation and permission slips for the visits to Eagles Theatre and the record shop.
2. Reserve time slots for Eagles Theatre studio tour and record shop visit. 3. Provide songwriting workbooks and journals for daily reflections. 4. Ensure access to AI songwriting tools and resources. 5. Prepare materials for poetry workshop, including guidelines for peer critique. |
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| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Poetry Exploration - Investigate various poetry styles and discuss how they reflect cultural influences and personal experiences, guided by the essential question 'How do personal experiences and cultural influences shape an individual's unique style in creative expression?' (20 min)
Creative Writing Session - Write a poem that reflects personal style and cultural influences, using insights from the exploration session (25 min)
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Songwriting Techniques - Explore different songwriting techniques and examine how these can be influenced by cultural and personal experiences, tying back to the essential question (25 min)
Drafting Lyrics - Begin drafting lyrics for an original song, focusing on personal style and cultural influences (20 min)
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Genre Research - Dive into research on various music genres and discuss their impact on style and narrative (20 min)
Genre and Style Analysis - Analyze how different genres can shape an individual's unique style in creative expression, reflecting on the essential question (25 min)
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Poetry Workshop - Participate in a peer critique session to gain feedback on poems, enhancing them through revision (25 min)
Reflective Journal Entry - Write a reflection on personal style development and the role of cultural influences, documented in the songwriting workbook (20 min)
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Album Cover Design - Begin designing the album cover by brainstorming ideas that visually represent personal style and cultural influences (20 min)
Songwriting Book Compilation - Compile all song drafts, poems, and reflections into the songwriting book, preparing for exhibition and critique (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completion of a poetry draft focusing on personal experiences and cultural influences
2. Research notes on different music genres and their cultural impacts 3. Initial drafts of song lyrics inspired by researched genres 4. Daily journal entries reflecting on personal style and creative process |
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| Preparation |
1. Gather poetry anthologies and song lyric examples for genre exploration
2. Organize research resources such as books, articles, and videos on music genres 3. Provide access to digital tools for songwriting and lyric creation 4. Prepare journal templates for daily reflections and style exploration 5. Coordinate feedback sessions with local musicians for poetry and lyrics 6. Set up collaborative spaces for peer review and discussion |
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| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Group Poetry Workshop - Collaboratively revise poems with peers using feedback to enhance style and emotional impact (25 min)
Daily Reflection - Document insights from the poetry workshop and consider personal style evolution in the songwriting journal (20 min)
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Songwriting Techniques - Explore advanced songwriting techniques, focusing on lyrical depth and melody creation (30 min)
Genre Research - Investigate how different music genres influence lyrical and melodic styles, adding findings to the songwriting workbook (15 min)
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Individual Song Drafting - Begin drafting an original song, incorporating personal experiences and cultural influences (30 min)
Peer Review Session - Share song drafts with classmates for constructive feedback on style and thematic elements (15 min)
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Album Cover Design - Create a visual representation of the album's themes, applying design principles to reflect personal style (25 min)
Daily Reflection - Evaluate how visual elements align with musical and poetic themes in the songwriting journal (20 min)
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Mock Exhibition Preparation - Rehearse presenting poems and songs to peers, focusing on clarity and audience engagement (30 min)
Reflection and Goal Setting - Reflect on the week's progress and set goals for the final week in the songwriting journal (15 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Revised poems with incorporated peer feedback
2. Drafts of song lyrics and melodies 3. Research notes on music genres in songwriting workbook 4. Reflection journal entry on personal style and influences |
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| Preparation |
1. Prepare materials and guidelines for the poetry workshop, including example poems and feedback criteria.
2. Gather resources for genre research, such as books, articles, and online databases. 3. Provide access to musical instruments, digital composition tools, and AI music software. 4. Set up a peer review framework, including criteria for constructive feedback and reflection prompts. |
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| Week 4 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Final Song Recording - Utilize the Eagles Theatre recording studio to professionally record final versions of original songs (30 min)
Reflective Journaling - Write reflections on the recording process and how personal style has evolved through the project (15 min)
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Album Compilation - Assemble the recorded songs, poems, and album cover design into a complete digital album (25 min)
Peer Review and Feedback - Share the compiled album with peers for final feedback and suggestions for improvement (20 min)
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Exhibition Preparation - Plan and rehearse the presentation of songs and poems for the upcoming exhibition, focusing on clarity and audience engagement (30 min)
Final Reflection - Reflect in songwriting journals on the learning journey and personal style development throughout the project (15 min)
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Exhibition Setup - Collaboratively set up the exhibition space at Eagles Theatre, arranging albums, workbooks, and visual displays (25 min)
Rehearsal and Refinement - Conduct a final rehearsal of performances, refining delivery and pacing (20 min)
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Live Exhibition Event - Present the completed album and perform selected songs and poems to parents, local musicians, and community partners at Eagles Theatre, addressing the essential question 'How do personal experiences and cultural influences shape an individual's unique style in creative expression?' (45 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Finalized album with recorded songs and poems
2. Custom-designed album cover and liner notes 3. Songwriters workbook with reflections, drafts, and revisions 4. Personal narrative essay connecting style to experiences and cultural influences 5. Live showcase event at Eagles Theatre with performances and exhibitions |
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| Preparation |
1. Schedule the live showcase event at Eagles Theatre and coordinate logistics
2. Gather materials for album cover design, including art supplies and digital tools 3. Prepare recording equipment and finalize song mixes with studio technicians 4. Set up gallery display for workbooks and album covers at the exhibition 5. Invite parents, local musicians, and community partners to the showcase 6. Organize rehearsals for live performances and poem readings 7. Ensure AI tools are available for any final creative edits 8. Prepare students to present their personal narrative essays with supporting visuals |
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