Recently, my students have been working on a musical theatre unit. I have been looking for a great lyric-writing lesson, so the Week 6: Day 3 workbook lesson came at just the right time. Spatial awareness and knowledge of stage directions are crucial to musical theatre choreography. I charged my students with choosing a well-known song and changing the lyrics to ones that helped better their understanding of stage directions. Students then voted on the 'best' song. I have shared it below:
To the tune of "M-i-c-k-e-y M-o-u-s-e"
By: Imani, Ja'Lia, and Nyla
When you're lookin' at the audience
Standing Center Stage (CS!)
From left to right
Stage Left, Stage Right
Don't look at the page!
If you are directin' the show
This is good to know
It's opposite
Stage Right, Stage Left
Now on with the show!
The concept of stage left being the actor's left and the director's right is a difficult one for fourth graders. Since creating this song, I hear students humming it onstage to help them remember!
-Jamie Hipp
Music and memory- such a strong connection. Interesting isn't it? I love how we know the brain loves music and it supports memory!
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