Lesson Plan Block 10,11,12 Questions and Possibilities
Lesson Silky Carter, Westminster Choir College of Rider University
(Do you see what I see, Do you think what I think)
Materials: Computer with internet access, projector connected to computer, Various Arts and Crafts materials, various creative objects that could be used for props
This lesson can be applied to grades 7th- 10th
Objective: Students will be able to ascertain difficulties in community on a local, state, national, international, and classroom level by review of Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song”
Students will be able to develop possibilities through questions and think critically about accountability.
Students should be able to empathize with their peers, revisit personal accounts of negligence and create clarification of future actions for neglect-prevention through questions.
The teacher will give a brief history of Michael Jackson, his many contributions, the history of “Earth Song”, then a review of the video.
Students will pose questions in the sequence of a song as formatted by “Earth Song” related to one or more of the four levels of community.
Students will write an open-ended reaction to any question posed in “Earth Song” Or any question they themselves posed in their lyrical compositions.
Focusing Questions:
“In what ways have I contributed to the adversity presented in the video?”
“In what ways have I contributed to adversity in my classroom, home, city, etc.?”
PART II: Students will break up into groups of 4-6 and create a simulated production of what Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song” video might look like in the Present year 2009 if we as a community continue mistreating each other and Mother Nature. Half of the class will do this while the other half will create a projection of what “Earth Song” might look like in the year 2009 if we initiate change and break negative habits that pollute the world and our minds.
This performance will be an assessment tool. Students can visit another classroom and perform for peers, or the teacher can record performances and post to YouTube with parents permission.
Abstract History for Students: Michael Jackson was born August 29, 1958 and died at 50 in 2009. He was born the eighth of ten children and of the ten Michael and five of his brothers became one of the most internationally known phenomenons in pop music during the early ’70s. Michael is to date the Largest Charity Donor in Pop Music History. Michael has gained critical acclaim for his electric voice, politically and emotionally charged lyrics, funky beats, and extraordinary dance moves. You may be familiar with the moon walk made famous by the man himself, pop-locking, and a Halloween Special video production by the name of “Thriller”
In 1996 Michael created a song and video called “Earth Song” to raise international awareness of our actions, similar to “We Are the World” but the first of its kind to talk about the depletion of the earth and animals.
“Earth Song Lyrics” http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/michaeljackson/earthsong.html
Michael Jackson “Earth Song” Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FZcAzZOyOg
Earth Song in Detail http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Song
