Musical Memoirs: Tunes & Tales Fusion

All grades Project 9 weeks

Musical Memoirs: Tunes & Tales Fusion

Theo Del Rosario

MU:Pr4.2.8.b

MU:Pr4.1.6

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.5

Self Directed Learning

Academic Mindset

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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to provide students with an opportunity to explore their personal identities through the intersection of music and memoir writing. By analyzing music and connecting it to their own life experiences, students will develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their stories. This project encourages students to express their unique voices creatively, fostering critical thinking and self-directed learning while building a sense of belonging and community engagement.

Learning goals

Students will analyze music to identify and understand literary elements such as theme, tone, and mood, and apply these insights to their own memoir writing. They will develop skills in both fiction and nonfiction writing, focusing on narrative structure and voice, while also engaging in critical self-reflection to deepen their personal storytelling. Through collaboration with musicians and memoir writers, students will enhance their ability to express themselves creatively and critically, culminating in a personal EP and visual art installation that showcases their integration of music and memoir.

Standards

[National Core Arts Standards] MU:Pr4.2.8.b - When analyzing selected music, sight-read in treble or bass clef simple rhythmic, melodic, and/or harmonic notation.
[National Core Arts Standards] MU:Pr4.1.6 - Apply teacher-provided criteria for selecting music to perform for a specific purpose and/or context, and explain why each was chosen.
[Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.5 - With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.

Competencies

Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Students will create a personal EP that includes their music analyses and memoir excerpts, showcasing their ability to connect music with personal storytelling. Additionally, they will design a visual art installation that features their written memoir pieces and music insights, complemented by artwork inspired by their narratives and chosen songs. This installation will be interactive, inviting community members to engage with the students' stories and the music that shaped them.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Music and Memoir Mixer,' where each student selects a song that resonates with them and shares a brief story or memory associated with it. This interactive event will serve as a platform for students to connect music to personal experiences, setting the stage for the exploration of music and memoir writing. Encourage students to reflect on how music influences their emotions and personal narratives, fostering a sense of identity and belonging as they embark on their creative journey.

Exhibition

At the end of the project, students will host a community exhibition showcasing their personal EPs and memoirs. The event will feature live performances where students share their music selections and read excerpts from their memoirs. The visual art installation, displaying their written work alongside music analyses and inspired artwork, will be open for community interaction. Families, friends, and local musicians and memoir writers will be invited to engage with the students' creative expressions and stories. This exhibition will serve as a celebration of their learning journey and personal growth.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Project Introduction - Launch the project with a 'Music and Memoir Mixer' where students bring a song that resonates with them and share a brief story or memory associated with it, fostering connections between music and personal experiences (20 min) Reflection Journal Setup - Students create a personal reflection journal to document their thoughts and feelings about the music and stories shared, setting the groundwork for self-reflection throughout the project (20 min) Essential Question Discussion - Facilitate a discussion on the essential questions: 'How can we use music and writing to express ourselves?' and 'How can music serve as a soundtrack to our personal stories?' to guide students' exploration (15 min)	Music Analysis Introduction - Introduce the concept of analyzing music by identifying literary elements such as theme, tone, and mood in songs, using teacher-provided criteria (20 min) Song Selection and Analysis - Students select a song and begin analyzing its literary elements, preparing to share their findings with peers in the next class (20 min) Peer Check-In - Students pair up to discuss their song selections and initial analyses, providing feedback and suggestions to one another (15 min)
Deliverables	1. A paragraph description of a memory associated with the selected song, demonstrating narrative structure and personal voice. 2. A reflection journal entry discussing the connection between music and personal stories.
Preparation	1. Organize the Music and Memoir Mixer, including setting up a space for sharing and playing music. 2. Prepare a list of literary elements to be discussed, with examples sourced from popular songs. 3. Create materials for the memoir writing workshop, including prompts and examples of narrative structures. 4. Establish a feedback protocol for peer review, guiding students on how to provide constructive and supportive feedback.

Week 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Music Analysis Deep Dive - Students revisit their selected songs to conduct a deeper analysis of literary elements, focusing on theme, tone, and mood, and document their insights in their journals (25 min) Writing Connection - Introduce students to writing a short memoir snippet that connects to the mood or theme of their selected song, using guided prompts to help them draw personal connections (20 min) Peer Sharing Session - Students share their memoir snippets with a peer, providing and receiving feedback on how effectively their writing connects to the song's mood or theme (10 min)	Interactive Workshop with a Memoir Writer - Invite a guest memoir writer to share insights on connecting personal stories with broader themes, followed by a Q&A session (30 min) Music and Memoir Revision - Using feedback from the guest writer and peers, students revise their memoir snippets and music analyses, focusing on clarity and depth of connection (15 min) Reflection and Goal Setting - Students reflect on their progress and set personal goals for how they will further develop their music and memoir projects (10 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed first draft of a memoir snippet that incorporates elements from music analysis.
Preparation	1. Select a diverse range of songs that exemplify different themes, tones, and moods for students to analyze. 2. Prepare memoir examples that illustrate the connection between music and personal storytelling. 3. Create peer review guidelines to help students provide constructive feedback during the session. 4. Arrange resources for students to access music and example memoirs, either digitally or physically.

Week 3	Day 5	Day 6
Activities	Song Analysis Workshop - Students engage in a guided workshop to refine their analysis skills, focusing on identifying themes, tone, and mood in selected songs with peer support (25 min) Memoir Snippet Writing - Begin writing a short memoir snippet inspired by the themes identified in their chosen song, applying narrative structure and voice techniques (30 min)	Peer Review and Feedback - Students exchange memoir snippets with peers for constructive feedback, using a rubric to assess narrative clarity and emotional impact (20 min) Music Analysis Presentation Preparation - Prepare and rehearse a brief presentation to share their song analysis and how it connects to their personal memoir snippet with the class (35 min)
Deliverables	1. A written analysis of a selected song's literary elements, focusing on theme, tone, and mood. 2. A first draft of a memoir snippet that connects a personal memory with a chosen song.
Preparation	1. Arrange for a guest musician to lead a workshop on analyzing music. 2. Prepare audio equipment for playing selected songs during the analysis workshop. 3. Collect a variety of songs with diverse themes and tones for students to analyze. 4. Set up a writing workshop space with materials for drafting and peer review. 5. Create a rubric for assessing the music analysis and memoir snippet deliverables.

Week 4	Day 7	Day 8
Activities	Memoir Structure Workshop - Explore narrative structure by examining examples of memoirs, focusing on elements like exposition, climax, and resolution, and discuss how these can be applied to students' own writing (25 min) Personal Story Mapping - Students create a storyboard for their memoir snippet, mapping out key events and emotions to ensure a coherent narrative flow (30 min)	Music and Memoir Integration - Students pair up to discuss how their chosen song's themes and mood will influence the structure and tone of their memoir snippet, fostering deeper connections between music and writing (20 min) Drafting Memoir Snippets - Begin drafting their memoir snippets using their storyboards and peer insights, with a focus on developing voice and emotional impact (35 min)
Deliverables	1. A detailed written analysis of the musical elements of their chosen song and how they influence its emotional impact and storytelling. 2. A revised memoir snippet that incorporates insights from the musical analysis, demonstrating an understanding of how music can enhance narrative elements.
Preparation	1. Provide students with access to music analysis tools and resources, such as annotated song lyrics, music theory guides, and analysis worksheets tailored to different reading levels. 2. Set up the classroom for a writing workshop and peer feedback session, ensuring students have access to writing materials and feedback forms. 3. Coordinate with musicians or music educators to offer insights or guest sessions on music analysis, providing students with expert perspectives. 4. Prepare reflection prompts and journals for students to document their personal insights and emotional evolution through the project.

Week 5	Day 9	Day 10
Activities	Song and Memoir Connection Review - Students revisit their selected songs and memoir snippets to ensure that the themes and moods are clearly connected and cohesive, making any necessary revisions (25 min) Collaborative Peer Workshop - In small groups, students share their revised memoir snippets and song connections, offering constructive feedback focused on narrative clarity and emotional resonance (30 min)	Guest Musician Session - Invite a local musician to discuss how music is used to tell stories and evoke emotions, followed by a Q&A session where students can ask about integrating music into personal narratives (30 min) Interactive Reflection Journal Entry - Students reflect on insights gained from the guest musician session and document how they can further integrate these ideas into their project (15 min) Goal Setting for Next Steps - Students set specific goals for refining their personal EPs and visual art installations, ensuring alignment with their memoirs and music analyses (10 min)
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: By the end of this week, students will submit a written analysis of their chosen song, highlighting the literary elements they identified and explaining how these elements enhance the song’s narrative. 2. Deliverable 2: Students will also submit a draft of their memoir snippet, which includes the integration of literary elements from the song analysis and a personal story that connects to the song's themes.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Prepare a list of example songs that demonstrate clear literary elements for students who may need guidance in selecting a song. 2. Prep Task 2: Create and distribute a peer feedback checklist to guide students during the writing workshop, ensuring they focus on the integration of literary elements and personal storytelling. 3. Prep Task 3: Arrange for access to audio equipment or online resources where students can listen to their chosen songs as needed during analysis sessions.

Week 6	Day 11	Day 12
Activities	Personal EP Concept Development - Students brainstorm and outline the concept for their personal EP, deciding on the themes and messages they wish to convey through their selected songs and memoir excerpts (25 min) Visual Art Installation Planning - Students sketch initial ideas for the visual art installation, considering how their memoir excerpts and music analyses will be integrated and displayed (30 min)	Peer Feedback on EP Concepts - Students present their EP concepts to small groups for feedback, focusing on clarity and thematic cohesion, and make notes for revisions (20 min) Art Installation Prototype Creation - Begin constructing a small-scale prototype of their visual art installation, incorporating feedback and ensuring the alignment of music and memoir elements (35 min)
Deliverables	1. Revised memoir excerpt that integrates personal experiences with music analysis, demonstrating narrative structure and voice.
Preparation	1. Collect a variety of music genres for students to explore and choose from for their personal reflection. 2. Create a rubric for peer feedback focusing on narrative elements and the connection between music and personal stories. 3. Prepare a self-reflection guide to help students assess their writing and identify areas for improvement. 4. Arrange for any necessary audio equipment for students to listen to their chosen songs during class.

Week 7	Day 13	Day 14
Activities	EP and Memoir Draft Review - Students conduct a comprehensive peer review of their EP concepts and memoir excerpts, providing feedback on thematic alignment and emotional impact (25 min) Teacher Conference - Individual check-ins with the teacher to discuss progress and receive targeted feedback on how to enhance their EP and memoir excerpts (15 min) Reflection and Revision Planning - Students reflect on peer and teacher feedback, setting specific revision goals for improving their EP and memoir excerpts before the final submission (15 min)	Final Revision Session - Students work on revising their EP concepts and memoir excerpts, ensuring coherence and thematic depth, with guidance from teacher feedback (30 min) Art Installation Finalization - Students finalize the design and content of their visual art installations, incorporating their revised memoir excerpts and music analyses (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed draft of a memoir excerpt that incorporates musical analysis 2. Peer feedback notes from the writing workshop 3. Self-reflection journal entry
Preparation	1. Prepare a list of questions or criteria for music analysis to guide students in their assessment. 2. Arrange the classroom for group discussions and peer review sessions. 3. Provide journals or digital tools for students to document their reflections. 4. Ensure access to music playback equipment and headphones for individual listening.

Week 8	Day 15	Day 16
Activities	Gallery Walk Preparation - Students organize their finalized memoir excerpts and music analyses to create a cohesive display for the visual art installation, ensuring each piece aligns with their personal EP themes (25 min) Peer Review of Art Installation - Students conduct a peer review of their visual art installations, providing feedback on presentation, thematic alignment, and emotional impact, followed by revision time based on feedback received (30 min)	Musical Performance Planning - Students select the music pieces from their EPs to perform at the exhibition and rehearse their performances, focusing on expressing the themes and emotions of their stories (30 min) Final Reflection Journal Entry - Students write a comprehensive reflection journal entry evaluating their learning journey, the integration of music and memoir writing, and personal growth throughout the project (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed and revised memoir excerpts ready for inclusion in the personal EP. 2. Finalized music analysis visual representation that effectively illustrates the connection between the chosen song and personal narrative. 3. Draft version of the personal EP, including selected memoir excerpts and music analyses, with a plan for layout and presentation.
Preparation	1. Prepare feedback guidelines to help students give and receive constructive criticism during peer review. 2. Arrange for musicians and memoir writers to participate in the peer review session, providing expert feedback and insights. 3. Provide materials for visual representation activities, such as poster paper, markers, and digital design tools. 4. Ensure access to computers or devices for students to compile and format their personal EPs. 5. Create a self-reflection template to guide students in documenting their learning experiences and growth.

Week 9	Day 17	Day 18
Activities	Exhibition Setup - Collaboratively arrange the classroom or event space to display the visual art installations, ensuring each piece is presented clearly and cohesively with the personal EP themes (25 min) Rehearsal and Final Adjustments - Conduct a final rehearsal of musical performances and review any last-minute adjustments needed for the visual art installations, focusing on thematic expression and impact (30 min)	Community Exhibition and Performance - Host the community exhibition where students present their personal EPs, memoir excerpts, and visual art installations, engaging with families, friends, and community members while performing their selected music pieces (55 min)
Deliverables	1. Final Personal EP and Memoir: A cohesive collection of music analyses and memoir excerpts, ready for exhibition. 2. Visual Art Installation: Completed display that combines memoir excerpts, music analyses, and inspired artwork. 3. Reflection Journal Entry: Final self-reflection on the entire project journey, focusing on personal growth and learning.
Preparation	1. Arrange the exhibition space to accommodate the visual art installations, ensuring ample space for each student's work. 2. Prepare audio equipment for any music elements that students wish to include in their exhibition presentations. 3. Coordinate with community partners, such as local musicians and memoir writers, to attend the exhibition and engage with students. 4. Ensure all necessary art supplies are available for last-minute touch-ups or adjustments to the visual art installation. 5. Organize a schedule for students to rehearse their presentations and performances for the exhibition.