Song of the Week

September 11-15 (Unwritten – Natasha Beddingfield)

1. Look up these words in the dictionary and write down what they mean.

Illuminate: Light something upDrench: to soak something with water Inhibitions: a feeling that makes one shy and unable to act in a relaxed way.Tradition: the passing on of customs and beliefsDistance: how far apart objects are

2. What does “today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten” mean?

Response after the video: E(Enthusiasms): Things you noticed about the lyrics, Things you liked the about the song and why or why they didn’t like the song.

W(Wonderings): We worked on powerful questions.  There is no “yes or no” answer to the question, would make the artist think. What would you ask the artist?

C(Connections) The section is where students try to connect this song to their world. Can be anything in their life.

Question du jour: (made up each week) What do you think your life will be like in the next 5 years?  

September 18-22 (Hero – Foo Fighters)

1.   Look these words up in the dictionary and write down what the words mean? Alarming: Worrying or disturbingOrdinary: No special featuresHero: A person who is admired for having courage or outstanding achievementsKudos: Praise and honor received for an achievementConsequence: A result or effect of an action2. What is your definition of a hero?

Response after the video:

E(Enthusiasms): Things you noticed about the lyrics, Things you liked the about the song and why or why they didn’t like the song.

W(Wonderings): We worked on powerful questions.  There is no “yes or no” answer to the question, would make the artist think. What would you ask the artist?

C(Connections) The section is where students try to connect this song to their world. Can be anything in their life.  

? du jour: Do you think sports athletes or famous singers are heroes? Why or why not?

September 25-28 (Stereo Hearts – Gym Class Heroes feat. Adam Levine)

1.Look up the meanings of the following words. Boombox: a portable sound system, has a radio and cassette or CD playerGrudges: a feeling of ill will from a past incident (holding a grudge against someone - you are mad at them for something they did in the past) 2.What does “[scratches]” mean in the song? Why is it in square brackets?  

3.What 5 songs would you put on a mixtape to share with your friends?  

Response after the video:

E(Enthusiasms): Things you noticed about the lyrics, Things you liked the about the song and why or why they didn’t like the song.

W(Wonderings): We worked on powerful questions.  There is no “yes or no” answer to the question, would make the artist think. What would you ask the artist?

C(Connections) The section is where students try to connect this song to their world. Can be anything in their life.  

? du jour: Why do you think music and love are so closely linked? (romantic or friendship)

October 2-6 (Somebody Loves You – Betty Who)

1. Circle the following phrases in the lyrics. What do they mean:

Losing your mind: ____________ (Can you actually lose your mind?)Head is heavy: ____________ (Is your head actually heavy?)

2.What pain do you think the singer is talking about in the lines “Does the pain feel better when I’m around”? Use some of the lyrics to find clues.

3.Who is someone that misses you when you’re away at school? Why do you think they miss you?

Response after the video:

E(Enthusiasms): Things you noticed about the lyrics, Things you liked the about the song and why or why you didn’t like the song.

W(Wonderings): Powerful, thick questions for the artist.  There is no “yes or no” answer to the question, would make the artist think. What would you ask the artist?

C(Connections) Try to connect this song to your world. Can be anything in your life.

Question du jour: Who is someone in your life you can always count on? How do they do this?

October 10-13 (Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts)

1. What are the four locations mentioned in the song? (Hint: One is in Canada)

2. What are blues and why would they haunt you? Bonus: What does haunt mean?

3. Compare and contrast the qualities of life and a highway? (You could use a Venn

Diagram)

Response after the video:

E(Enthusiasms): Things you noticed about the lyrics, Things you liked the about the song and why or why you didn’t like the song.

W(Wonderings): Powerful, thick questions for the artist.  There is no “yes or no” answer to the question, would make the artist think. What would you ask the artist?

C(Connections) Try to connect this song to your world. Can be anything in your life.

Question du jour: If you could go on a road trip, where would you go and why? (You must have 3-5 reasons for choose your location)

October 17-20 (Fireflies – Owl City)

1.What is a “foxtrot” and a “sock hop”?

      2. Find the definitions for these words: Bursting Insomniac Bizarre

   3.Describe the following image of fireflies for someone. Make sure to use lots of adjectives. (minimum 5 sentences)

Response after the video:

E(Enthusiasms): Things you noticed about the lyrics, Things you liked the about the song and why or why you didn’t like the song.

W(Wonderings): Powerful, thick questions for the artist.  There is no “yes or no” answer to the question, would make the artist think. What would you ask the artist?

C(Connections) Try to connect this song to your world. Can be anything in your life.

Question du jour: What is one moment in time that you wish you could stop and stare at? Why did you choose this moment?

October 23-26 (Ahead by a Century – The Tragically Hip)

1. What do the following words mean: illusion revenge shroud feverish

2. How long is a century? What are 3 important world events that happened in the century we live in? Why did you choose these events?

3. What do you think the line “no dress rehearsal, this is our life” means or refers to?

Response after the video: E(Enthusiasms): Things you noticed about the lyrics, Things you liked the about the song and why or why you didn’t like the song.

W(Wonderings): Powerful, thick questions for the artist.  There is no “yes or no” answer to the question, would make the artist think. What would you ask the artist?

C(Connections) Try to connect this song to your world. Can be anything in your life.

Question du jour: What are some things you would like to be remembered for in a century? Why did you choose this/these thing(s)?

October 30 – November 3 (Juke Box Hero – Foreigner)

1. What is a juke box? Do a sketch of what one looks like.

2. What do you think “stars in his eyes” means? (Hint: Can you really have stars in your eyes?)

3. What is the story of the song? Set it up in your journal like you see below. You can use point form to answer this question (maybe even use some of the lyrics).

Beginning

Middle

End

4. How is this song and the word “perseverance” connected? Answer in 3 sentences or more.

Response after the video:

E(Enthusiasms): Things you noticed about the lyrics, Things you liked the about the song and why or why you didn’t like the song.

W(Wonderings): Powerful, thick questions for the artist.  There is no “yes or no” answer to the question, would make the artist think. What would you ask the artist?

C(Connections) Try to connect this song to your world. Can be anything in your life.

Question du jour:  As you already know, a jukebox is now an antique (something from the past that we don’t need or use anymore). What are a few things that you think will be antiques when you are old? Don’t forget to add why you think this.

November 6 – 10 (Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder)

1. What does “groove” mean? (Make sure you find the musical meaning) What is a good groove to you?

Originates in jazz slang, referring to music that's swinging, tight, funky. The analogy is to the groove in a vinyl record.

2. Have your teacher play the following songs and answer whether you liked or didn’t like the music.  

Artist/Song Like/dislike? Why?

Count Basie - April in Paris (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enijgnO_UA8)

I like/dislike this song because…

Glenn Miller - In the Mood(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPXwkWVEIIw)Ella Fitzgerald - Lullaby of Birdland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY8zK4R9oE8)(Sir) Duke Ellington - Take the A Train (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb2w2m1JmCY)

Here are some things you can like/dislike about music: Rhythm Voice(s) Instruments Genre

Response after the video:

E(Enthusiasms): Things you noticed about the lyrics, Things you liked the about the song and why or why you didn’t like the song.

W(Wonderings): Powerful, thick questions for the artist.  There is no “yes or no” answer to the question, would make the artist think. What would you ask the artist?

C(Connections) Try to connect this song to your world. Can be anything in your life.

Question du jour: Why does Stevie Wonder call music “a language we all understand”? How is that possible? Do you agree or disagree?

November 20-24 (Rock Lobster – B52s)

1. How many different sea creatures are listed in the lyrics? List at least 5. Draw a sketch of 2.

2. What do you think is happening in the song? (Minimum 3 sentences)3. What do you think a rock lobster is?

Response after the video:

E(Enthusiasms): Things you noticed about the lyrics, Things you liked the about the song and why or why you didn’t like the song.

W(Wonderings): Powerful, thick questions for the artist.  There is no “yes or no” answer to the question, would make the artist think. What would you ask the artist?

C(Connections) Try to connect this song to your world. Can be anything in your life.

Question du jour: If you had to make up a silly song, what would it be about? Why? Write at least the chorus of your song.

November 27- December 1 (Waiting on the World to Change – John Mayer)

1. Find the definitions of these words. MisunderstoodGeneration

2. Circle the lyrics “hard to beat the system”. What could the system be?

3. Write about 3 ways that YOU can help the world. Make sure that you include some details about what you would do and how it would help the world.

Garbage and recycling information (be a leader) Don’t litter Follow the laws Be a good friend (no wars)

Response after the video:

E(Enthusiasms): Things you noticed about the lyrics, Things you liked the about the song and why or why you didn’t like the song.

W(Wonderings): Powerful, thick questions for the artist.  There is no “yes or no” answer to the question, would make the artist think. What would you ask the artist?

C(Connections) Try to connect this song to your world. Can be anything in your life.

Question du jour: What is one thing you would like to change in the world (anything)? Why would you do this? What would be the consequences (good and/or bad)?

December 4-8 (Falling for the First – The Barenaked Ladies)

1. An oxymoron is a phrase made up of two or more words that actually have opposite meanings (ex. big baby, living dead, jumbo shrimp, pretty ugly). Find 3 or more oxymorons in the lyrics.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the pattern of the final words of each line in the lyrics? 3. Why do you think the singer is falling? Where is he/she falling to? (3-5 sentences as

an answer)

Response after the video:

E(Enthusiasms): Things you noticed about the lyrics, Things you liked the about the song and why or why you didn’t like the song.

W(Wonderings): Powerful, thick questions for the artist.  There is no “yes or no” answer to the question, would make the artist think. What would you ask the artist?

C(Connections) Try to connect this song to your world. Can be anything in your life.

Question du jour: What do you think the overall message of the song is? Why do you think this? Use some examples from the lyrics to backup your thoughts.