Lesson Plan
From Idea to Anthem Lesson
Students will learn to identify personal experiences and emotions as sources for songwriting, translate these experiences into initial lyrical concepts, and understand the foundational elements of narrative in song.
Connecting personal stories to songwriting makes the creative process authentic and engaging. This lesson helps students tap into their unique voices, fostering self-expression and empathy through music.
Audience
High School Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive lecture, guided brainstorming, and collaborative activity.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Narrative Nooks Slide Deck, My Story Sparks Journal, and Story Circle Brainstorm Activity
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Narrative Nooks Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print or prepare digital versions of My Story Sparks Journal for each student.
- Ensure whiteboard/projector is set up and markers/pens are available.
- Review the Story Circle Brainstorm Activity instructions and consider how to group students for the activity.
Step 1
Introduction: The Power of Story (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What makes a song truly connect with you?" Allow for a few responses.
- Introduce the concept that the most powerful songs often come from personal stories and experiences.
- Display Slide 1: What's Your Story Song? from the Narrative Nooks Slide Deck.
Step 2
Exploring Narrative in Song (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Present Slides 2-4 from the Narrative Nooks Slide Deck, discussing how artists use personal stories, emotions, and vivid details.
- Provide examples of popular songs that tell clear stories or evoke strong emotions based on personal experience (e.g., 'Firework' by Katy Perry, 'The Story' by Brandi Carlile, 'Fast Car' by Tracy Chapman).
- Facilitate a brief discussion: "What elements of these songs make the story clear or the emotion palpable?"
Step 3
My Story Sparks: Journaling (20 minutes)
20 minutes
- Distribute My Story Sparks Journal to each student.
- Explain that this journal is a safe space for them to explore their own experiences and emotions that could inspire a song.
- Guide students through the prompts on the journal, encouraging them to think about significant moments, strong emotions, or recurring themes in their lives.
- Play some instrumental background music to create a reflective atmosphere.
Step 4
Story Circle Brainstorm Activity (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
- Introduce the Story Circle Brainstorm Activity. Explain that each student will share one "story spark" from their journal, and the group will offer brief, constructive feedback and ideas.
- Emphasize active listening and respectful collaboration. Remind them they are not writing the song, just brainstorming initial ideas.
- Circulate among groups to provide support and guidance.
Step 5
Wrap-up & Next Steps (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask a few students to share something interesting they heard or a new idea they got from their group (if they feel comfortable).
- Display Slide 7: From Idea to Anthem from the Narrative Nooks Slide Deck.
- Conclude by encouraging students to continue observing their lives and journaling their story sparks, as these are the raw materials for amazing songs.
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Slide Deck
What's Your Story Song?
How do your experiences become lyrics?
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's central question. Encourage initial thoughts on why some songs resonate deeply.
Songs Tell Stories
- Every song has a heartbeat: Your life experiences!
- Think of your favorite songs: Do they tell a story?
- Storytelling isn't just books: It's music, too!
Explain that stories are the heart of many songs. Ask students to think about their favorite songs and if they tell a story.
Emotions as Fuel
- Joy, sadness, anger, fear, love: These are powerful songwriting ingredients.
- Artists use emotions: To make their songs real and relatable.
- What emotions are you feeling? They could be a song!
Discuss how emotions are universal and relatable. Prompt students to consider how artists express joy, sadness, anger, etc., in their music.
The Power of Detail
- Specifics bring songs to life: Instead of 'I felt bad,' try 'The rain poured, mirroring my tears.'
- Use your senses: What did you see, hear, smell, taste, feel?
- Paint a picture with words!
Emphasize that details make a story vivid. Give a quick example of a vague vs. detailed description.
Your Story Sparks Journal
- Time to dig deep into your story.
- Reflect on significant moments, feelings, and memories.
- This is your space to generate ideas for future songs.
Introduce the journaling activity. Explain that this is a personal exploration, and they don't have to share everything.
Story Circle Brainstorm
- Share one 'spark' from your journal with your group.
- Listen actively to your group members.
- Offer constructive feedback and ideas for developing the story into a song.
Explain the Story Circle activity. Encourage active listening and constructive feedback within groups.
From Idea to Anthem
- Your life is rich with song ideas!
- Personal experiences + Emotions + Details = Powerful songs.
- Keep observing, feeling, and writing down your story sparks!
Summarize the key takeaways and bridge to future songwriting steps. Encourage students to keep collecting ideas.
Journal
My Story Sparks Journal: Unlocking Your Song Ideas
Welcome, aspiring songwriter! This journal is your personal space to explore the experiences, feelings, and observations that can become the heart of your next song. There are no right or wrong answers here, just honest reflections.
Prompt 1: A Memory That Sticks With You
Think about a specific memory, big or small, that often comes back to you. What happened? Where were you? Who was there? What did you see, hear, smell, taste, or feel?
What emotions were strongest during this memory? How did they change, if at all?
If this memory were a song, what kind of mood would it have? What might be the main message or feeling?
Prompt 2: An Emotion You Know Well
Choose an emotion that you have felt very strongly recently, or one that you experience often (e.g., joy, frustration, wonder, longing, peace). Describe a situation where you felt this emotion intensely.
What physical sensations or thoughts did you have when you felt this emotion?
How might you express this emotion through music – perhaps with a certain tempo, melody, or type of instrument?
Prompt 3: A Person Who Inspired You (or Frustrated You!)
Think of someone who has had a significant impact on you, positive or negative. Describe a specific interaction or characteristic of theirs that stands out.
What did you learn from this person or interaction? What feelings did they evoke in you?
If you were writing a song about this person, what would be the main idea you'd want to convey?
Prompt 4: Your 'What If...' Moment
Have you ever wondered 'what if...' about a past decision, a missed opportunity, or a future possibility? Describe one of these 'what if' scenarios.
What are the feelings associated with this 'what if'? Is it regret, hope, curiosity, excitement?
How could this 'what if' scenario be explored in a song? What kind of narrative arc might it have?
Activity
Story Circle Brainstorm: Turning Sparks into Songs
Objective: To share personal story sparks and receive constructive feedback to help develop lyrical ideas.
Time: 15 minutes
Materials: Your My Story Sparks Journal, pen/pencil
Instructions:
- Form Groups (1 minute): Get into small groups of 3-4 students.
- Choose Your Spark (2 minutes): From your My Story Sparks Journal, choose ONE story spark, emotion, or observation that you feel comfortable sharing with your group. This could be a memory, an intense feeling, or a "what if" scenario.
- Share Your Spark (each student gets 2 minutes to share):
- One person shares their chosen story spark. Briefly explain the core idea, emotion, or memory.
- The rest of the group listens actively, without interrupting. - Group Brainstorm (each student gets 2 minutes of feedback):
- After the student shares, the group offers quick, constructive feedback and ideas. Consider questions like:
- What images or feelings did this spark bring to mind?
- What could be a possible