This Lesson's Title:

Singing
the Blues...

...isn't the same
as having the blues

This lesson was created by Nevada teacher Maribeth Burt while attending the NNWP's
I-Pod's Across the Curriculum Workshop.

This writing prompt inspired by

several selections from Ken Burns' Jazz.

Click here to do a Google search for this CD.

Three-Sentence Overview of this Lesson:

After listening to several different examples of early blues, (and perhaps viewing the opening segment of Ken Burns’ Jazz DVD, “Gumbo”), students will discuss and identify the ideas and feelings conveyed through the blues. Next. students will write lyrics to their own blues song. Finally, each student will perform their composition for the class with a Jamey Aebersold accompaniment. Teachers: Click here to see the entire lesson plan.

6-Trait Overview for this Lesson:

The focus trait for this lesson is voice; each writer's final projects will require the conveyance of emotion as well as a study of personification through music . The support trait here is idea development; students will include unique and interesting details in the lyrics/poetry that they create.