discuss music and use vocabulary to describe music
listen to a discussion about the role music plays in our lives and do some comprehension activities
1) Discuss
Do you listen to music?
What music do you like?
Is music important in your life?
Do you like to listen to music quietly or do you prefer to "crank it out" (play it loud)
Does listening to old music transport you back to when you were younger?
What is the role of music in our lives? Why do we listen to music?
2) Discuss Vocabulary
In one minute how many words connected with music can you think of?
Think of these categories
Musical instruments - guitar, cello...
Kinds of music - classical, dance...
Words to describe music - fast, melodic, jazzy...
Feelings to describe listening to music - How does it make you feel? - happy, energetic, relaxed...
3) Discuss Vocabulary for describing music / musicians / singers
Look at these words to describe music.
How many were in your list?
Do you understand them all?
Think of some singers / groups / songs / kinds of music. In your opinion which adjectives describe the music / singer / song best? eg I think ______ is depressing / catchy / funky...
A racket (n.)
Amazing
Avant garde
Awful
Awesome
Beautiful
Bluesy
Boring
Catchy
Commercial
Depressing
Fast
Funky
Gentle
Gorgeous
Heavy
Hypnotic
Jazzy
Makes you want to cry / dance / sing
Melodic
Noisy
Modern
Old-fashioned
Passionate
Peaceful
Popular
Pretty
Relaxing
Repetitive
Rocking
Sad
Slow
Soft
Soulful
Soulless
Spiritual
Stunning
Swinging
Traditional
Tuneless
Uplifting
Violent
4) Discuss Music in our lives Look at these sentences. How many do you agree with?
All human beings are born musical.
Music can take us back to bad times in our lives
Music has a useful psychological effect.
Music makes you feel more positive about bad experiences
Music plays an important part in our lives even before we are born
Music transports people back to their formative years.
People often listen to music to make themselves sad.
People often say the best music was made during their adolescence.
Playing music loud at night helps children to sleep.
Singing and learning a musical instrument improves hearing.
5) Listen You are going to listen to psychologist Victoria Williamson discussing the role of music from BBC Radio 4's "Today"
Put the sentences above in the order you hear them (see interactive exercise1 below).
Pop Quiz Games, Intermediate Music, Pre-Intermediate, Question Forms, Questions, Quizzes
What's so special about the Beatles? British Culture, Famous People, Fashion, History, Life in the UK, Listening, Music, UpperIntermediate, Webquest
My favourite kinds of music
Finally, for anyone who is interested I have a blog where I write about my favourite kinds of music here stranger than known
You can find out what the rhythm is in the video clip below. But before you watch...
Practise Vocabulary
You are going to watch a video
Check you know the meanings of the following words which feature in the video clip.
Match the words with their definitions.
Watch
You are going to watch a clip from the BBC TV series "The Rhythm of Life". It's about music in nature and is presented by George Martin.
What things from nature can you see in the clip?
What sounds from nature do you hear?
At 3:40 you will hear the rhythm above. What is it?
Are you surprised at what the rhythm is?
2) Now do the comprehension quiz
3) Listen again to Bernie Kraus' explanation of how the rhythm is made and fill in the gaps
Do you agree with George Martin that only humans can make music "because it takes such a high degree of intelligence and organization and we are the only animals capable of doing it" or, like Bernie Krause, do you have a more open mind?
revise and practise these words for making questions - Who, Whose, What, When, Where, Why, How...
Note - This activity is designed to be done as an interactive class quiz with students (individual or in pairs) having access to smartphones or tablets, laptops etc (however there is a downloadable printable worksheet for those who still like paper).
Discuss
Do you like pop, rock, rap?
Do you know any of the people below?
How many do you like?
Who is your favourite singer / group?
How much do you know about music?
Do the quiz below and find out how much you know.
Do the quiz A) First, make the questions by putting these words into the correct spaces;
Who, Whose, What, When, Where, Why, How, How much, How many, How long
Do not answer the questions yet. You can do that in the next activity
B) Now choose the correct answer for each question
do a listening comprehension exercise on the Beatles
look at some vocabulary connected to culture / music
read about the Beatles
1) Discuss
It's 50 years since the Beatles released their first album Please Please Me. They recorded the whole album in only one day.
What do you know about the Beatles?
Why were they important or special?
The first track on the album was called I Saw Her Standing There
Listen. Do you like it?
2) Before you listen
You are going to listen to someone talking about why the Beatles are "special".
Here is some vocabulary from the clip. Match the words to their definitions.
3) Listen
Listen below to an interview by Nick Ellerby with Phil Alexander, the editor-in-chief of the music magazine Mojo.
Why were the Beatles special?
Here are the Beatles in November 1963 at the Royal Command Performance attended by the Queen Mother. At 04:45 John Lennon makes a request. "For our last number I'd like to ask your help. The people in the cheaper seats clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you'd just rattle your jewellery."
What do you think of the Rolling Stones?
Who is your favourite band or singer?
Why do you like them?
Are they very popular? Why? / Why not?
6) Presentation / Speaking / Research / Writng (note taking)
Choose a band or singer you like and make a (powerpoint) presentation about them. Tell their story.
Look on the internet for some photos to illustrate your presentation.
Look for information but NEVER copy and paste. Just take notes. Select the important information.
Play some short clips of their music during your presentation.
Plan
Introduce them - Who are they?
Career - Give a short outline of their career
Conclusion - Why are they popular / important / interesting / good..?
Advice
This is a speaking activity so don't put too much written information in the presentation.
Never read text from the presentation. You should explain what your audience can already see.
You can use notes to speak but the presentation should be mostly visual.
The Stone Roses are an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1983. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement that was active during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band's most successful lineup consisted of vocalist Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield, and drummer Alan "Reni" Wren. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stone_Roses
2) Vocabulary
You are going to listen to a radio clip about the Stone Roses concert in Barcelona in June 2012. Before you listen. Look at these 2 vocabulary exercises.
1) Match the vocabulary.
Do you understand these words? fan, forthcoming, gig, members, a bit off, reunion, tour
Match them with the explanations in the exercise below
2) Phrasal Verbs / Idioms
How many of these phrasal verbs / idioms do you know? be back, break up, end up, fall out, follow someone around, get back together, get into, get going, hang in, hit your stride, live up to expectations, sing along
Match them with the correct definition in the exercise below. You can drag and drop the meanings on the right to the expression on the left.
3) Listen
Now listen to the radio clip.
Was the Stone Roses' gig a success?
5) Practise
Now choose some of the expressions and write some sentences using them
Example - It was a great concert. It really lived up to my expectations
6) Write Write a review of a concert you have seen
Organize your writing into paragraphs
Introduce the show - Who / What / Where / When?
Introduce the artist - Who are they? Background information - Give a very short description of the artist
Describe the concert - Where was it? What was the atmosphere like? How long did they play? Describe some highlights - best songs / best moments
Give your opinion - What was the show like? If it was good say why. If it was "a bit off" give some constructive recommendations. What should the artist do to improve?
Conclusion - it's a review so say whether you think people should go and see the band / artist and give a reason.
listen to a video about the Beatles and do a matching exercise
read a text about the Beatles and do a gap-fill exercise
do a quiz based on the information in the lesson
1) Discuss
2012 is the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' first hit single.
Who were the Beatles?
What were their names?
What did they do?
Watch the video to find out.
2) Do the matching exercise
Look at the exercise below. The information in the boxes on the right is in a different order to the film. Use your mouse to drag the information in the boxes on the right to the correct heading on the left.
Watch the film again if you need to.
Listen to this Beatles concert from 1964 while you do the gap fill exercise below.
3) Gap-fill
Read the text and fill in the gaps.
You can choose the correct answer from the drop-down menu.
Sgt Pepper
Abbey Road
4) Beatles Quiz
How much can you remember?
Do this quiz. There are 12 questions.
5) Writing
Choose someone famous that you like. Write about them.
Read and listen for information about two celebrities
Compare and contrast them
Write a biography of someone famous
Note; This post was updated 30/12/2011 due to the Shakira biography clip being removed from Youtube. I replaced it with another clip and altered the comprehension questions.
1) Discuss
Look at these people.
Do you know who they are?
What are they famous for?
Have you ever dreamed of being famous?
Would you like to be famous?
What do you think it takes to achieve fame or success?
Do you think any of them have changed the world we live in or made our lives better?
Highlight here for answers;
Leo Di Caprio, Bob Marley, Martin Luther king, The Beatles, David Beckham
Che Guevara, Mother Teresa, Shakira, Elvis Presley, Beyonce
2) Read and watch Clip 1
You are going to watch a clip about Shakira
What do you know about Shakira?
Where is she from?
How old is she?
What does she do?
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (born February 2, 1977), known professionally as Shakira is a Colombian singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, and philanthropist who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s. Born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira revealed many of her talents in school as a live performer, demonstrating her vocal ability with rock and roll, Latin and Middle Eastern influences with her own original twist on belly dancing. Shakira is a native Spanish speaker and also speaks fluent English and Portuguese as well as some Italian, French and Arabic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakira
Answer these questions;
What was her dream when she was growing up?
What did she know at 18 months old?
What could she do at 3?
How old was she when she started writing songs?
When did she get a record deal?
What does her foundation do?
What awards has she won?
How succesful is she now?
Highlight below for answers
To become a famous performer
She knew the entire alphabet
Read
8
13
It provides high quality school facilities, nutritious meals and homework assistance and counselling
Various Grammy music awards
She sells millions of records and is one of the top earning women in music
How old was she when she entered her first talent competition?
How old was she when she was chosen for "Girls Time"?
Why did her father give up his job?
When did she make her 1st solo album?
What was the name of her first film?
What kind of charities does she support?
Highlight below for answers
Her father was record manager and her mother was a costume designer
They had a star on their hands
7
11
To represent her group
2003
Dream Girls
Childrens charities
Add the information below with what you know from the texts and clips
Shakira
Beyonce
1) Date of Birth
February 2nd 1977
September 4th 1981
2) Nationality
Colombian
American
3) Early life
Started performing at an early age
Entered singing and dancing competitions as a child
4) Career
Has won several Grammy awards and has sold millions of discs
Rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. Now has a solo career and makes films
5) Other interests outside performing
Philanthropist; her foundation provides high quality school facilities, nutritious meals and homework assistance and counselling
Fashion designer, supports childrens' charities.
Highlight the spaces above for the answers
3) Compare and contrast
Look at the information
What do Shakira and Beyonce have in common?
What differences are there?
Can you compare and contrast them (say what the similarities and differences are)?
useboth, also, as well, too to express similarities
use but, however, whereas, on the other hand to express differences.
eg Both of them are singers. Beyonce is from the USA whereas Shakira is from Colombia.
Write 5 more sentences
Highlight below for suggested answers
Beyonce was born in 1981 but Shakira was born in 1977
Beyonce started performing as a child and Shakira did as well / too
Shakira has always been a solo artist, on the other hand Beyonce started in a group
Beyonce has made films however Shakira has remained a singer
Beyonce and Shakira both help children
Look at the people in the photos (above or below)
Can you make similar sentences to compare or contrast them?
Now listen to both of them in this clip. What do you think of the song?
4) Writing
A) Watch this clip and discuss the questions below
How many of these people do you know?
Why are they famous?
Did they change the world?
How did they think differently?
Text
"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify and vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as crazy, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."
Look at the words from the text in the left column below.
Can you match the words from the text on the left to the definitions on the right. Drag and drop the words to the correct place.
B) Write about someone famous.
Think of a famous person. Take a few minutes to find any information on the internet about him / her. Only look for important information.
Use this plan to help you. Write your biography with 4 paragraphs. If you are writing about someone who is dead. Talk about why you think they are important today in paragraph 3
If anyone wants to write about someone and post it in the comments below please go ahead :)
Armando created a Sliderocket presentation of this post which is here
2) Find some more worksheets about famous people here
Famous People Lessons.com http://www.famouspeoplelessons.com/index.html
EFL / ESL Lesson Plans Using Biographies And Profiles - From Sean Banville
3) Choose some people from the website and make sentences to compare and contrast them.
or
choose some people you know and compare and contrast them.
Look at some phrasal verbs and do a matching exercise
Watch a short video clip about a rock music fan and do a true / false comprehension activity
Write about fashion
1) Discuss
Do you like listening to music?
Where do you listen to music?
Do you have any musical idols?
Where do you find out about them?
Do you like or copy the clothes they wear?
Do you you like to be fashionable?
Why do people follow fashion?
Could you stop listening to music or using the internet for a week? How would you feel?
2) Before you watch - Vocabulary.
2a) Vocabulary 1 - Slang
What is slang?
Do you use slang expressions?
Do you know these slang words?
metalhead = A metalhead is a fan of metal music
cool = good
mate = friend
goth = fan of Goth music and fashion
chav = young person usually wearing tracksuits and baseball caps
townie = someone who lives in a town
nerd = someone who is good at technical things but may not have many friends
Double click on the word for a definition.
Highlight next to the word for the answers
2b) Vocabulary 2 - Phrasal Verbs
What is a phrasal verb?
Click here to find out http://www.englishpage.com/prepositions/phrasaldictionary.html
Answer - highlight here = A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition or adverb which creates a meaning different from the original verb.
Look at the list of expressions in the column on the left below.
1) Match the expressions with the correct definition. One is done for you. You can drag and drop the phrases on the right
2) Write some sentences using the phrasal verbs. eg I'm looking forward to my holidays.
Marilyn Manson is an American singer and musician. Ewan is 15 and is a Goth. He is the biggest Marilyn Manson fan in Welwyn Garden City where he lives and perhaps even in the UK. Marilyn Manson is his idol but Ewan is going to give him up for one week. No music, no clothes, no make up and no internet.
How do you think Ewan will manage?
What will his friends and family think?
How will he feel?
Will he complete the week or give up after a few days and go back to being a Goth?
Watch and find out.
Do the True / False exercise
Why do you think it says "You shall make no graven images" at the start of the film?
Answer - highlight here = "You shall make no graven images" is a reference to false gods
4) Write Fashion trends are difficult to follow these days and it’s widely believed that they primarily exist just to sell clothes. Some people believe that we shouldn’t follow them and that we should dress in what we like and feel comfortable in.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?.
(IELTS)
You are going to
