1. Write For Your Life Module I: Modern Music, Writing, and Advocacy

2. Module Overview This module is designed to allow you to: This module is designed to allow you to: 1.) Use modern music as a way of exploring traditional poetic devices and literacy elements. 2.) Critically reflect upon your own skills and talents as a writer of poetry. 3.) Discover how you can apply current technology to teaching writing with your future students.

3. Module Overview Each module is formatted after Lucy Calkins’ Writer’s Workshop Model. According to Calkins’ Writer’s Workshop should consist of: –A Focus Lesson: In which the teacher highlights a certain skill of strategy for the day and models ways to apply the strategy. –Writing Time- Students and/or writing groups actually write. –Share Time-Workshop participants are to share what they have written with peers either in person, via Twitter, Facebook, or Skype.

4. Focus Lesson: Poetry and Modern Music Who is your favorite musical artist? Why? What are some things you already know about writing a song? Write a three things all songs must have? Songs often include some of the following poetic devices. poetic devices.poetic devices.

5. Music tells stories…… Watch the following Video clip: 41 Shots41 Shots (American Skin) 41 Shots

6. Read the Words 41 Shots Lyrics41 Shots Lyrics (American Skin) 41 Shots Lyrics 1.) Read the lyrics to the song 2.) Examine the song first by discussing the title. 3.) What is the song about? 4.) Who is the audience? What poetic devices do you see? Circle them. 5.) Discuss the difference between chorus, and verse? Prelude and interlude? Give examples 6.) Ask any students if they have ever written a song. (Ask any volunteers to perform or sing the song)

7. Song Background Song Background- This song was inspired by the killing of Amadou Diallo, an African Refugee who was shot 41 times by police in New York. Read more about Amadou Diallo Amadou DialloAmadou Diallo

8. Writing Time Blog or journal on one of the following topics: What comes to mind when you think of this song and it’s lyrics? Write the title and chorus for your own song on a topic or theme this is important and interesting to you. Use the song writing tips to help you! writing tips writing tips

9. Share Time Tweet the chorus and title of your song to your friends. Get their input. Tweet three lines from the “American Skin” lyrics see if you get any comments or ideas. Tread #Amadoudiallo see what comments you receive. Decide on your next steps with your writing. Do you want to continue to explore this topic? Perhaps instead of writing another song, you may want to write the biography or short story about the life of Amadou Diallo.

10. Teaching Tips Any activity like this can be modified for grades 4-12. Using music is a great way to tap into students’ interests but also teach them how to identify literacy elements such as alliteration, rhyme, and meter.