A lyric-based learning program that helps students analyze songs on their own
Rather than focusing on censorship of lyrics, a lyric-based learning program encourages students to analyze songs on their own. It's a far more effective approach to teach students how to be critical thinkers and listeners, thus empowering them to make informed choices as consumers of music.
The critical thinking approach can be applied to any genre of music, including rap, country, blues or pop, and helps students to differentiate between songs and identify those lyrics that contain meaningful social and political commentary.
At the same time, students learn to recognize the destructive power of songs containing excessive profanity and gratuitous lyrics that demean and degrade others and only serve to reinforce or perpetuate harmful societal prejudices and stereotypes.
My 8th-grade essay prompt involves the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and "One," a song from the Irish band U2 (text from King's writings and speeches and Bono's lyrics are online.
Directions
Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs, and a conclusion. Use evidence from any documents and media in the body of the essay. Support your response with relevant facts, examples, and details. Include additional outside information and related concept words such as empathy, identity and citizenship.
Essay Question
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now." Read the excerpt from his address, "What's Your Life's Blueprint?" In your essay, discuss the meaning of the passage and be sure to explain how it relates to the concepts of diversity and interdependence. You must also discuss the meaning of U2's song, "One."
Remember to explain how the song is related to the essay themes of diversity and interdependence. Finally, discuss the importance of teamwork in school. Identify and discuss specific attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that teachers and students should adhere to in order to support diversity and promote cooperation in the classroom. Be sure to include and fully discuss citations and specific examples from each document and media.
John Chase
Edmeston Central School
Edmeston, N.Y.
M.U.S.I.C. – Musicians United for Songs in the Classroom – promotes the educational use of songs by teachers in all content areas. Click here to learn more.
