My own lyrics

Okay, so now you have shared, discussed, pondered, and thought about some favorite lyrics.  Now I want you to write your own song lyrics.  If you are musical, you can even set them to music, but this is optional since I don't expect everyone to have that special gift (I do not!).  If you do not know how to set the lyrics to music, then you have a second option.  After printing your lyrics, decorate them with images that are either hand drawn or with images you find from magazines or the Internet.

Songs are poetry?

Do you realize that song lyrics are actually poetry set to music?  What are your favorite song lyrics?  Bring a copy of them into class to share.  If you have a copy of the song on your iPod or on a CD bring it to class to share.

I personally, enjoy the song, "If I Die Young," by The Band Perry.  I immediately realized that they had taken their idea from another poem that I love, "The Lady of Shalott," by the famous poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson.  When I watched their music video, sure enough, at the end of the video, they showed that poem!  You can check it out in this youtube video here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NJqUN9TClM

For homework, answer the following questions about the song lyrics you chose (type) and don't forget to bring the lyrics and your answers to class.

1. What is the name of the song?  Who is the artist who wrote/performed it?
2.  What are your favorite lines from the song?  Why?
3.  Do you like the way the lyrics are performed by the artist or would you perform the lines in a different way?  Using different instruments?  Explain.

EXTRA CREDIT:    WATCH THE VIDEO (IF I DIE YOUNG) AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS?  WHAT IS THE THEME?  YOUR ANSWER SHOULD BE A COMMENT ON THIS POST.

Favorite toy or animal?

How many of you had a or have a favorite toy or stuffed animal from childhood?  I remember mine.  His name was Gimmer.  He was a glow-worm whose face lit up when I squeezed his body.  I took him everywhere I went, but sadly, we left him in a hotel one summer on a family vacation and I never saw him again.  As a child, that left quite an impression on me because I considered "Gimmer" my friend and companion.

For homework, find a favorite toy or stuffed animal.  If you can't find your absolute favorite from childhood you can bring in a second favorite or you can find a picture online of the toy and bring it into class.  Next class, we will be doing story hour outside with my narration of "The Velveteen Rabbit" followed up by time for you to share stories about your favorite childhood "friend."  This will lead us into a short story activity we will be doing soon.

Group Activity

Each group will be assigned a poetic form (ie. sonnet, ode, limerick, haiku etc).  As a group, you will research this poetic form and find examples of that form in poems by other writers.  Then, as a group, you will create a 15 minute lesson plan to teach this form to your peers.

Expectations:

-Provide a handout which includes the following: the rules/form of the poem, an example of the poem type,  and a little history explaining the origin of the poem.  Handout should be visually pleasing and easy to read.  It should be proofed for spelling and grammar errors so that it appears professional.
-Get the students involved with your lesson by asking and responding to questions
-Get students to attempt the poetic form either in their journals as individuals or with one other peer.

-Everyone in the group must also submit an original poem in the form you selected.  If you have selected a poem form that is 5 or fewer lines you must write three poems in that form (ie. haiku or limerick).  You must share one of your poems with the class during your presentation.

Extras:  You may also include a power point presentation or other forms of multi-media if you wish.