Classroom Music Lesson Plan

Title of Lesson: Breaking Social Reproduction Through Means of Music

Maggie Kaetzel

Grade Level: 12
Learning Goals

What Learners will

Be able to do (behavioral): By the end of the week, the 12th grade students will be able
to identify musicians who broke the ties of social reproduction through their music with a
success rate of 80%.
Understand (cognitive): Students will have perspective of the power of music to elevate
their lives in more ways than one.
Encounter (experimental): Students will compose a short song or arrangement that they
feel expresses themselves and is worthy of performance for a paycheck.
Construct meaning (constructivist): Students will realize the impact music can have on
an artist as a betterment to their lifestyle.

Focusing Question
In what ways can an individual use music remove themselves from the low social class they
were born in?

Materials

Computers with access to Finale

Sound system
Dry Erase board
Assessment

Formative: The teacher pays close attention to the process the students are taking to
write their song and what the song means to them.
Summative: The teacher grades the final performances of the student's songs using a
rubric.

Integrative: The teacher records her thoughts on how the students used their song as a
reflection of something important to them, how they wrote the song, and how seriously they took
it. The teacher then makes adjustments to the lesson if necessary.

Process

Partner: The students are asked to bring in one or two examples of songs by artists who
were born in poor situations and profited from their music to share and discuss with the class.
Present: After the students present their own examples of artists, the teacher sparks a
conversation about how musicians can put their entire being into their work and grow from it,
and that everyone has the power to use what they love and work for to create an income for
themselves. She also asks if there are specific things that make songs more popular and
successful.
Personalize: The teacher tells the students to compose a short song or arrangement
using Finale that they feel represents them and showcases what they have to offer. They can
use any text they would like, but it should be school appropriate and reflect on a problem they
feel exists in society.
Perform: When the compositions are completed, the students will perform or play them
for the class. The teacher will ask the students to record and discuss one positive thing about
each piece that would make it stand out from others.