Rock and Roll Resources
 

Resources

 Rock and Roll: A Social History by Paul Friedlander 1996.

The Music Teacher’s Book of Lists by Cynthia Ross and Karen Stangl 1994.

Everything Has Its Price by Richard Donley

This Business Of Music, 6th ed., by Shemel and Krasilovsky, 1990

Music! Its Role and Importance in Our Lives, Glencoe Publishers, 1994
 

Magazines

 Billboard Magazine, weekly

 Rolling Stone, monthly (not recommended for student reading)

 Spin, monthly (not recommended for student reading)

Reproducible Workbooks

 American Popular Music, Mark Twain Inc., 1996

Children’s Books
 
 Dear Bruce Springsteen by Kevin Major
 The Golden Guitar by Ann Alene
 The Story of Rock and Roll by Pete Fomatale
 An Album of Rock and Roll by Trudy Hammer
 
Web Site Resources

 The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame www.rockhall.org
 Billboard Magazine   www.billboard.com

Workshop Resource

Some packet materials are from “Rockin’ America” presented by Kevin Newton and James McCormick, Willow Creek Middle School, Rochester, MN.
Pop Music Questionnaire

Name ______________________ School ________________

Fill in the blanks on the right side of the paper. When you are finished, turn your paper over and wait for instructions.
 

_____ 1. My favorite pop/rock song is ___________________________________

_____ 2. My favorite pop/rock musician or group is ________________________

_____ 3. The most recent pop CD/tape I have purchased is __________________

_____ 4. My favorite pop musician/group 10 years ago _____________________

_____ 5. My favorite pop musician/group 20 years ago _____________________

_____6. The last popular or rock song I used in class was ___________________

_____7. My students’ current favorite pop/rock song is _____________________

_____8. The last pop/rock concert I attended was __________________________

_____9. Name a pop/rock song you heard today ___________________________

_____10. Name the latest pop/rock music video you’ve seen _________________

_____11. True/False I feel pop/rock music keeps getting more and more tasteless

_____12. YES/NO I’ve used popular music to assist in teaching the MENC National Standards.
 
 
 
 

Please use the back of this sheet for any feedback, comments or other items of interest you’d like to share. Please leave your completed sheets with Emily Maurek. Thank You!!
 Rock Window

Original concept by Paul Friedlander. (From his book “Rock and Roll: A Social History”, Westview Press, 1996)

Paul Friedlander created The Rock Window as a way to visually and mentally organize concepts in a pop/rock song. It provides structure and meaning to listening. Friedlander suggests the following categories:

1. Music
a. Ensemble
b. Rhythmic Emphasis
c. Vocal Style
d. Instrumental Solo
e. Harmonic Structure

2. Lyrics
a. What are the song’s major themes? Does it tell a story? Brainstorm with your classes to make a list of categories of song topics.
b. Is there an explicit or underlying political or cultural message?

3. Artist History
What are the important elements of the artist’s personal history and career that enhance your understanding of the music? This information can be divided into three areas:
a. Psychological, sociological, social, and economic conditions during youth;
b. Musical history;
c. Important career landmarks.

4. Societal Context
How did the surrounding political and cultural climates influence the artists and their work?

5. Stance
Which elements of the artist’s live performances and public actions provide us with a clearer understanding of the music itself?
From The Rock Window concept I have adapted a simple chart for intermediate students to use while analyzing popular tunes. This could be done individually, in groups, as a class discussion, or as a class listening lesson.

Name __________________________ Classroom Teacher _________

The Rock Window
As you listen to the song answer these questions in any order.

Song Title ____________________________________________________
Artist ________________________________________________________

Music
What instruments do you hear?
What is the meter?
What is the style of music?
Are there any soloists?

Lyrics
Does the song tell a story?
If so, what is the story?
If not, what is the purpose of the song?

For enrichment opportunities with older students discuss the other categories of the Rock Window – Artist History, Societal Context, and Stance.
 
 

Friedlander also created The Anatomically Correct Rock and Roll Doll is his book “Rock and Roll: A Social History”. His question is “What part of the body is most affected by the music?” He divided the body into regions:
 Mind (intellectual)
 Heart (emotional)
 Feet (dancing/movement)

Lesson: (Grade 1-3) Use the Rock and Roll Doll outline on the next page. Play a pop/rock song. Have children discuss how the song makes them feel. The play song again and have children color the doll according to their feelings or emotions evoked by the song.
Lesson: (Grade 4+) Assign students to listen to their normal amount of  radio/CDs/Cassettes for a week and keep a tally sheet of the number of mind, heart, and feet songs they hear. Report back to class and make a graph or chart of the results. Example of a tally sheet:
 

Keep this sheet with you at all times for ONE WEEK. Each time you hear a song listen carefully to the words and make a tally mark in the correct box. Bring this sheet back to music class and we will total the results. Enjoy!! Mind
Heart Feet
 
 
 
 

Name ______________________________  Classroom Teacher _________

The Rock and Roll Doll
Listen to the song.
How does the music make you feel?
Draw a doll to show how the song makes you feel.
 
 

Make your fans want to buy YOUR band’s CD!!! Create an album cover that will be the coolest one around! The album cover ARTIST will receive a grade for the cover and you will have a chance to compete for the “Best Album Cover” category at the awards ceremony!
 

Rules:

1. You must include the NAME of your band.
2. You must include the NAME of the album
3. You must include a list of 10 song titles on the back of your album cover.
4. IT MUST BE COLORED!!! NO BLACK & WHITE!!!
5. Your album cover must be put into a plastic CD case. You can buy these at music shops for $1 OR take the cover out of an old or broken CD at home and use it for your album cover.
6. You may be as creative as you want…pictures, computer art, drawings, stencils, paint, whatever….use your imagination!!!

Materials:

1. SIZE = I have a paper pattern you can use for the size of your album cover. See Mrs. Maurek.
2. I have construction paper in many different colors. See Mrs. Maurek.

Grade:

 S+ = you completed all 6 underlined rules
 S = you completed 4-5 underlined rules
 S- = you completed 3 underlined rules
 U = you completed 2 or less underlined rules

Due Date:
 
 

Make your fans want to buy YOUR band’s CD!!! Create an FLYER or POSTER (not both) that will be your ticket to high album sales! The ADVERTISER will receive a grade for the flyer or poster and you will have a chance to compete for the “Best Advertisement” category at the awards ceremony!
 

Rules:

1. You must include a CITY where your band will be playing a concert
2. IT MUST BE COLORED!!! NO BLACK & WHITE!!!
3. You must include the DATE and TIME of the performance
4. You must include the CONCERT HALL NAME
5. You must include TICKET PRICES
6. You must include WHERE TO GET TICKETS
7. You must include the DESIGN OR LOGO for your band.

Materials:

a. SIZE = Posters must be done on poster board.
b.  SIZE = Flyers must be done on a full sheet of paper. I have construction paper. See Mrs. Maurek.

Grade:

 S+ = you completed all 8 underlined rules
 S = you completed 7-6 underlined rules
 S- = you completed 5 underlined rules
 U = you completed 4 or less underlined rules

Due Date:
 
 
 

Make your fans want to buy YOUR band’s CD!!! Create a SONG LIST that will be packed with the best tunes around! The SONGWRITER will receive a grade for the song list and you will have a chance to compete for the “Best Song Title” category at the awards ceremony!
 

Rules:

1.  You must create 10 SONG TITLES for your band.
2. You must TURN IN ONE COPY of your 10 songs to Mrs. Maurek.
3. You must include your 10 SONG TITLES on the back of your album cover.
4. Titles must be APPROPRIATE for school.
5. One song must be SUBTITLED.

Materials:

a. SIZE = I have a paper pattern you can use for the size of your album cover. See Mrs. Maurek.
b. I have construction paper in many different colors. See Mrs. Maurek.

Grade:

 S+ = you completed all 5 underlined rules
 S = you completed 3-4 underlined rules
 S- = you completed 2 underlined rules
 U = you completed 1 or less underlined rules

Due Date:
 
 

Make your fans want to buy YOUR band’s CD!!! Your goal is to achieve the highest sales around! The PROMOTER will receive a grade for the album sales your group generates and you will have a chance to compete for the “Top Sales” category at the awards ceremony! There will be award for the top 5 finishers with the most signatures!
 

Rules:

1.  You must gather at least 25 SIGNATURES.
2. You may only collect signatures from the people INSIDE Bibich Elementary School. NO ONE ELSE COUNTS! No imaginary people!!
3. You must have NO DUPLICATE signatures. If you do, that entire page will be disqualified. Check your work!
4. You may NOT SIGN YOUR OWN signature sheet.
5. You must write a TOTAL NUMBER of signatures on the first page, STAPLE them and turn in into Mrs. Maurek on the due date. Any late signatures will automatically lower your grade.
6. You may only collect signatures outside of class time like recess and class free time. If a teacher takes your signatures away, tough luck!

Materials:

 You may only use the signature sheets provided by Mrs. Maurek. Any other kinds of paper do not count and will be disqualified. See Mrs. Maurek for more pages if your group runs out.

Grade:

 S+ = you completed all 6 underlined rules AND rule #1
 S = you completed 4-5 underlined rules AND rule #1
 S- = you completed 3 underlined rules AND rule #1
 U = you completed 2 or less underlined rules or NOT rule #1

Due Date:
 
 

Fifth Grade Music Class Project 2001

Band Name __________________________________________________
Classroom Teacher’s Name ____________________________________
Band Member’s Names ________________ ___________________
             ________________ ___________________

Each signature = one album sale. Do NOT write on the back or in the margins of this sheet. Only people inside Bibich Elementary School are allowed to sign this paper.

Name        Teacher

1. _________________________________  ___________________
2. _________________________________  ___________________
3. _________________________________  ___________________
4. _________________________________  ___________________
5. _________________________________  ___________________
6. _________________________________  ___________________
7. _________________________________  ___________________
8. _________________________________  ___________________
9. _________________________________  ___________________
10. ________________________________  ___________________
11. ________________________________  ___________________
12. ________________________________  ___________________
13. ________________________________  ___________________
14. ________________________________  ___________________
15. ________________________________  ___________________
16. ________________________________  ___________________
17. ________________________________  ___________________
18. ________________________________  ___________________
19. ________________________________  ___________________
20. ________________________________  ___________________
21. ________________________________  ___________________
22. ________________________________  ___________________
23. ________________________________  ___________________
24. ________________________________  ___________________
25. ________________________________  ___________________
 

Extra Credit
 

Done with your jobs early? Bored? Want to make your fans want to buy YOUR band’s CD??  Create any of the cool projects below and you will have a chance to compete for the “Best Group Effort” category at the awards ceremony! (These are NOT for a grade)

Projects:

1. Write a song! Use a worksheet from Mrs. Maurek to help your group write a #1 song! You may choose to perform it for the class or you may just turn in the written lyrics.
2. Produce a video commercial! Make a 30-second commercial video showing off your group’s talents. All band members must appear in the video and you must use at least two props. Two band members must speak in the commercial and a written script must be turned in. Commercials that follow these rules will be aired on the school’s announcements!!!
3. Make a T-Shirt! Take a plain shirt and use paints or iron-on decorations to show off your band’s style. You may make one t-shirt or make one for each of your band members to wear on awards day! Don’t forget your band’s name and logo on the shirt.
4. Create a business card! Show the world your band is ready for
business with a stack of personalized business cards. Use your computer or draw to create at least 10 cards with your band’s name and contact information. Cards must be creative and contain at least one picture.

 
Materials:

You will provide your own materials for these activities EXCEPT for the songwriting sheets. See Mrs. Maurek for the songwriting sheets.

Due Date:

Your band is formed. You’ve got the album, cool name, and 10 songs. You are ready to go on the road and tour the country! Take your band on a tour of the United States and maybe you’ll encounter some luck along the way or maybe disaster. Are you just a one-hit wonder or a group of REAL musicians? We’ll find out on the CONCERT TOUR! (Your whole group will work on this project together in class. Your group will receive the tour grade.)

Rules:

1.  Your band must play in at least 7 different states in a 10 day tour.
2. You must play a show in each of the following stadium sizes:
a. Under 5,000
b. 5,000 – 25,000
c. 25,000 – 45,000
d. 45,000 – 70,000
e. over 70,000

3. Your band cannot play more than two dates in the same state.
4. Your band can only travel 500 miles a day.
5. The first state you play will be determined by a drawing. After that show you will begin your tour.

Materials:

a. Tour sheets are available from Mrs. Maurek
b. Mileage charts are available from Mrs. Maurek
c. Stadium packets are available from Mrs. Maurek
Grade:

 S+ = you completed all 4 underlined rules
 S = you completed 3-2 underlined rules
 S- = you completed 1 underlined rules
 U = you completed 0 underlined rules

Due Date:

Grade Sheet

Band Name _____________________________
Classroom Teacher _______________________

Name ______________ ______________ _____________ ____________

Artist      Advertiser  Songwriter          Promoter

 
 ____________ ____________ ___________ __________

 Album Cover Flyer or Poster 10 Song Titles Signatures

Extra Credit? _____________________________________________________________

Concert Tour
_____________________________________________________________

Ten Song Titles

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CD Cover Pattern
1. Trace a CD box on to a sheet of colored paper.
2. Cut out the colored paper.
3. Cut the colored rectangle in half to make a front and a back cover OR fold to make a booklet.
4. Repeat steps with another piece of colored paper if you need more pages or a back cover.
 

Stadium List

For a list of U.S. concert venues try this website: www.wwcd.com/stadiums/textlist.html

OR do a search for “concert venues” or “stadiums”. Get atlases from your local travel or insurance agent.
 

Voyager Assignment

Do a web search for the music listed on the Voyager spacecraft launched in the 1970s. It contained gold “records” with representations of Earth’s music. Use this to design questions for a worksheet or class discussion. Also, be sure to ask the kids if they like the selections chosen or if they have different ideas about exactly what music would adequately represent planet Earth to other forms of life.

Billboard Magazine

Purchase a copy of Billboard Magazine at a Borders or Barnes and Noble bookstore. OR go to www.billboard.com for the latest charts. Use this material as a spring board into musical styles and the worksheet found later in this packet. The magazine charts require thought and critical thinking skills to navigate.
Songwriting Worksheet

To be sung to the melody of ________________________

Chorus
This is the part of the song that usually contains the title of the song. The chorus is the catchy part of the tune and it repeats itself many times.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 

Verse 1
Usually the “action” or “story” of the song, this part DOES NOT repeat itself ever in the song. There are usually 2 or 3 verses in a song.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 

Verse 2

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 

Example Song

Rockin’ Robin

Verse 1

She rocks in the treetops all the day long,
Hoppin’ and a boppin’ and a-singing a song.
All the little birds on Jaybird Street,
Love to hear the robin go tweet, tweet, tweet.

Chorus

Rockin’ Robin,
Tweet, tweet, tweet.
Rockin’ Robin,
Tweet, Tweedlee-dee.
Blow Rockin’ Robin,
‘cause we’re really gonna rock tonight.

Verse 2

Every little swallow, every chickadee,
Every little bird in the tall oak tree.
The wise old owl and the big black crow,
Flap their wings saying “go bird go”!

Chorus

(Repeat the words from the chorus written above)

Bridge

A pretty little raven at the bird bandstand,
Taught him how to do the bop and it was grand.
They started goin’ steady and bless my soul,
They out bopped the buzzard and the oriole!

Verse 1

(Repeat the words from Verse 1 written above)

Chorus

(Repeat the words from Chorus written above)

Band Name __________________ Day ________________
Stadium_____________________ Capacity ____________

Income:

Ticket Sales  Seats _________ X $20  = __________

T-Shirts   Seats _________ X $10  = __________

Programs   Seats _________ X $5   = __________

Tapes/Cds   Seats _________ X 15   =  __________
 
TOTAL INCOME ---------------------------      =    __________

Expenses:

Mileage:   Miles ________ X 1      = __________

Hotel:   $2000 a day       =          $2000

Food:   $2000 a day       =          $2000

Security:   $15000 a show               =        15,000

Gas:    Miles _______ X $5      =   ________

Stage Crew:  $40,000 a show              =       $40,000

Promotions:  $10,000 a show               =       $10,000

TOTAL EXPENSES-------------------------      =      _______
Net Income is “Income” minus “Expenses”  =      _______

Name____________________ Classroom Teacher _________
 
 

1. Unscramble the dates in music history! On the back of this sheet you will put the music history dates in order. Starting with the earliest date as #1, number each event until you have reached #20.

2. Next, pick what YOU think are the 10 MOST IMPORTANT of the list to make your very own musical timeline! (Make good choices…you may have to describe why you chose the dates you did) Circle the 10 lines you have chosen.

3. On the guitar sheet start on the very edge of the guitar with the EARLIEST of your dates and write your 10 events, in order, all the way across the guitar, neatly, to form a chronological number line.

4. Just color your guitar with crayons or markers and you are done! Now you have your own record of music history in America!

Note to Teachers: To get a list of music history events navigate the web and make your own list or check out a rock history book. I found my list in the Mark Twain workbook cited on the resource page of this handout.

Make your “timelines” on a black-outline guitar, drumset, keyboard, microphone…whatever dittos you may have in your collection. I use guitars.
Name ________________  Classroom Teacher ___________

Billboard Magazine

Answer the questions below using the Billboard Magazine chart provided.
 

1. What is the name of the song that was #1 on the charts last week?
___________________________________________________________

2. Name a song that is NEW on the charts this week:
___________________________________________________________

3. Name a song that has been on the charts for 20 or more weeks:
___________________________________________________________

4. What song has been on the charts the longest of all the songs listed?
___________________________________________________________

5. Name a song that DOES NOT have a music video:
___________________________________________________________

6. Name a song that has sold at least 500,000 copies:
___________________________________________________________

7. Who WROTE the #1 song on the chart?
___________________________________________________________

8. Of all the songs on the chart, which one is YOUR FAVORITE?
___________________________________________________________

9. What song was #8 on the charts last week?
___________________________________________________________

10. Name a song whose “Peak Position” was #2 on the charts:
___________________________________________________________

11. What is the #1 song on the charts this week?
___________________________________________________________
Name _________________________ Classroom Teacher__________

Beethoven – Compare and Contrast

Listen to Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony”. Answer the questions below:

1. Name the instruments you hear ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What STYLE of music is this piece? _____________________________

3.  Can you hear the familiar melody? Yes or No (circle one)
 

Listen to a newer version of Beethoven’s “Ninth”. Answer the questions below.

1. Name the instruments you hear ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What STYLE of music is this piece? __________________________

3. Can you hear the familiar melody? Yes or No (circle one)
 

Teachers: Use this form for a compare/contrast exercise with musical styles. Play the traditional recording of Beethoven then play “A Fifth of Beethoven” by Walter Murphy (Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack). Also, consider using a Venn Diagram.
 
 

 A group project designed to “snag” restless Fifth Grade (and older) students into music class!  (Spring is the IDEAL time for this one) Presented in a way using creativity, relevant music and peer relationships, The Music Business Project also satisfies current MENC standards of:

Proficiency #1  Demonstrate knowledge of music of diverse styles and genres.

Proficiency #7   Recognize music careers and know about the skills needed to pursue these careers.

This project is also inter-disciplinary. Math, Art, English, Geography are all included!!

Object: To simulate the Music Industry by creating, promoting and “selling” a product to a community (your school). Your students will take their groups “on tour”, manage their money, and compete for prizes while learning what make the music industry tick.

Materials: Varies per group. I usually provide construction paper, markers, copies of handouts, rulers, scissors and magazine scraps. Students provide a plastic CD case from home to store their CD cover. Students also supply and any other art materials they might need.

Time: I usually allow 4-6 weeks (I only see my kids once a week) to complete the project. A particular item is due each week. Some items can be completed during class time. I also allow group-work time in class most days because I know not every group can get together on weekends, etc.

Format: Groups should really be anywhere between 2 and 4 people. 1 is not a group and 5 are too many. I divide up labor like this:
  Artist – CD cover
  Advertiser – Promotion and Ads
  Songwriter – Creates the titles for the CD cover
  Salesperson  -- Collects the “sales” signatures

Assessment: Use the checklist included in the packet. Then, grading is a snap and you can walk around the room while they are working and assess the material.

Awards: I give awards in the following categories during a school assembly:
 
 Top Sales (1st – 5th place)
 Best Advertisement
 Best Group Effort
 Best Group Name
Best Song Title
 Best CD Cover

Music Business Project Packet

Table of Contents

Overview

Grade Sheet/10 Song Title List

Song List Procedure

Album Cover Procedure

Album Cover Pattern

Promotions Procedure

Sales Sheet

Flyer/Poster Procedure

Songwriting Worksheet Activity

Songwriting Worksheet

Example Song

Extra Credit

Concert Tour

US Map

Stadium Listings

Tour Grid

Expense Account
 

Popular Music Quick Guide

A list of songs that have been particularly helpful to me in illustrating concepts over the years:

Spiritual Style

In the Middle of the Night         Billy Joel

Steady Beat

Oya Como Va               Santana
Cecilia(?)                                         Simon and Garfunkel

Form

Rockin’ Robin        Jackson 5
Locomotion         Little Eva

Latin Percussion

   All I Wanna Do        Sheryl Crow
   Turn The Beat Around                   Gloria Estefan OR Vicki Sue Robinson
 
Swing

Jump Jive An’ Wail     Brian Setzer Orchestra

Motown

Uptight (Everything’s Alright)     Stevie Wonder

Disco

 A 5th of Beethoven               Walter Murphy
Stayin’ Alive                                   The Bee Gees

Dance

    Get Ready For This             2Unlimited
 
Rap

     Rapper’s Delight                    Grandmaster Flash

Jazz

     Cottontail         Ella Fitzgerald
 

Rock and Roll Doll Discography
 

Some song ideas for the Rock and Roll Doll activities:

Mind

Respect        Aretha Franklin
Sunday Bloody Sunday                          U2
Blowin’ In The Wind               Joan Baez
Turn, Turn, Turn               The Byrds

Feet

Land of 1000 Dances        Wilson Pickett
Celebration             Kool and the Gang
The Twist                Chubby Checker
Twist and Shout              The Beatles
Louie Louie          The Kingsmen
 

Heart

I Can’t Help Myself       The Four Tops
Love Me Do              The Beatles
All You Need Is Love            The Beatles
 

Some of these songs prove interesting with children…the mood or feelings the children perceive are sometimes different than the categories….makes for interesting discussion!!

ALWAYS preview music first before using it in class.
 
 
 

Name____________________ Classroom Teacher ___________
 

Rock This Town by The Brian Setzer Orchestra
 

Instructions: When the number is called, answer only that question.

1. What instrument is improvising a solo? ___________________________

2. Name the instrument playing a solo here __________________________

3. Name any TWO background instruments you hear:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

4. What do you hear?
a) trumpet solo
b) drum solo
c) saxophone section

5. What does the orchestra do here when the leader says “One More Time”?
a) sing the chorus again
b) sit and listen to a drum solo
c) play another chorus of instrumental solos

6. What instrument has a solo here? ________________________________

7. How does this song make you feel? List two feelings or moods:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. What style of music is “Rock This Town”? ________________________

9. If you could sit in with this orchestra, what instrument would you play?
____________________________________________________________

10. Why would you choose that instrument? ________________________
____________________________________________________________