The Story of a Music Group - Free Lesson Plan

English Banana.com Test Your Speaking & Listening Skills The Story of a Music Group For more fun tests, quizzes and games log onto www.englishbanana.com now! This worksheet can be photocopied and used without charge © English Banana.com Level: Pre-Intermediate to Intermediate Skills: Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing, and Imagination Groups: Students work in groups of three or four Aim: Speaking and listening practise; making a presentation Time: 50 mins (activities) + 10 mins (error correction feedback) Materials: Board and pens; handouts (optional); paper and pens for students Notes: Depending on time and the level/interest of your class, you could choose to do only Part 1 or only Part 2, below; you could start off with a few minutes of warmers connected with music, e.g. What’s your favourite…? or How many genres can you name…? etc. Procedure: Part 1: A Real Music Group 1. SS form small groups of 3-4 students, or work in pairs. 2. Think of a music group from any genre. Answer the following questions: 1. name 2. genre 3. members and instruments 4. title and year of their biggest hit 5. years active 3. All small groups feed back to main group. 4. Think about the history of your group in terms of three distinct stages: Stage 1: STARTING OUT (initial period) Stage 2: SUCCESS? (middle period) Stage 3: SPLIT? (end period, or period to date – did they split up, or keep going?) See the cards below for some ideas about what to consider for each stage. 5. T demonstrates a timeline, using the same example group as before (see timeline example below). SS draw a timeline to show the three stages (as above) in terms of the level of success (commercial, artistic, etc.) of their group. It could be general or very detailed, with dates and events, e.g. tours, single and album releases, dates when people joined/left, etc. 6. Each group gives a presentation to the whole group. They talk about the three stages of the group’s history and draw their timelines on the board. Each student should talk about one of the stages. Don’t let one student do all the talking! Note: steps 4-6 could be missed out if SS don’t know enough about their group’s history. Or, they could decide to change their chosen group to one that they know more about. English Banana.com Test Your Speaking & Listening Skills The Story of a Music Group For more fun tests, quizzes and games log onto www.englishbanana.com now! This worksheet can be photocopied and used without charge © English Banana.com Part 2: A Made-Up Group SS repeat the process as above, but this time imagining their own group (from any genre). 1. SS work in small groups of 3-4 students, or in pairs. 2. Imagine a music group from any genre. Answer the following questions: 1. name 2. genre 3. members and instruments 4. title and year of their biggest hit 5. years active 3. All small groups feed back to main group. 4. Think about the history of your group in terms of three distinct stages: Stage 1: STARTING OUT (initial period) Stage 2: SUCCESS? (middle period) Stage 3: SPLIT? (end period, or period to date – did they split up, or keep going?) See below for potential discussion starting points. 5. SS draw a timeline to show the three stages (as above) in terms of the level of success (commercial, artistic, etc.) of their group. 6. Each group gives a presentation to the whole group. They talk about the three stages of the group’s history and draw their timelines on the board. Each student should talk about one of the stages. Don’t let one student do all the talking! 7. Error correction feedback. The teacher discusses errors on the board with the SS. SS write notes, where necessary. Extension activities: 1. Write lyrics to a hit song by your group 2. Write a list of album track titles, or album names 3. Rehearse and perform a track 4. Write a fan letter or email/message from a fan of your group 5. Devise a music video and (if possible) record it! 6. One person interviews members of the group 7. Improvise role play scenes, e.g. getting together, signing a record deal, splitting up, etc. 8. Discuss question forms using the prompt cards, e.g. “How did the group get together?” English Banana.com Test Your Speaking & Listening Skills The Story of a Music Group For more fun tests, quizzes and games log onto www.englishbanana.com now! This worksheet can be photocopied and used without charge © English Banana.com Stage 1: STARTING OUT (initial period) who? where? when? how? why? what? broke wannabes instruments rehearsals busking first gig late night recording sessions manager record label first contract hit the big time! Stage 2: SUCCESS? (middle period) singles albums hits fans travel tour royalties concerts press magazines big news hotel rooms fame money recognition praise collaborations famous friends in fashion in demand Stage 3: SPLIT? (end period, or period to date) jealousy drugs broken friendships paranoia over-exposed excess solo projects royalty disputes end of the road groupies out of fashion holiday camps English Banana.com Test Your Speaking & Listening Skills The Story of a Music Group For more fun tests, quizzes and games log onto www.englishbanana.com now! This worksheet can be photocopied and used without charge © English Banana.com An Example Timeline: TIME LEVEL OF SUCCESS A B C D E F A Starting out B First hit record C Biggest hit(s) D Problems in the group /bad press, etc. E Second album is less successful F Split? Or carry on?