Title – Musical Reaction Writing

By – Sadie Truax

Primary Subject – Language Arts

Secondary Subjects – Music

Grade Level – 8-12

Materials:

This lesson plan requires that the teacher bring two or more musical selections (cassettes or cds and the appropriate stereo/player) to class. Students will need a journal/paper and a writing utensil.

Objective:

The objective is to have students connect music to the literary piece they are currently reading in class and to create a transdisciplinary activity.

Procedure:

The teacher will prompt students to “clear their minds AND desks”– except for their journal and pen/pencil. The students should close their eyes and listen to a musical selection (no lyrics to distract) for about three minutes. At that point, the teacher will instruct the students to open their eyes and write about how the music relates or doesn’t relate to a theme, character, motif, etc. from the literary unit they are currently in. This activity emphasizes auditory learning and can help develop auditory skills in students. The activity can be repeated after about ten minutes with another musical selection.

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Sadie Truax

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