Star Wars Rap | Music Lesson Plan (Composition)

Music Lesson Plan

Step 1
Ask students, "Who knows what a composer does? Correct. A composer organizes the sound and silence in music. Who thinks they're old enough to be a composer? You're right. Mozart was writing music at age four!"

Step 2
Tell students, "Today you'll be composing music just like John Williams did for movies like Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Harry Potter. You'll work in groups to write a Star Wars rap. The first part is already written. Your job is to finish it."

Step 3
Tell students, "Before you begin, we need to review a few rhythms." Write the rhythms from the Star Wars Rap worksheet on the whiteboard and clap them with the class. Then review the rhythms by asking individual students to clap them back to you.

Step 4
Tell students, "For this activity, you'll work in groups of two or three. I want you to do three things: 1) Get a worksheet and pencil, 2) Find a group, and 3) Sit with your group. You have 10 seconds. Go!"

Step 5
Tell students, "At the top of your worksheet, there is a connect-the-dot activity. As a group, speak the Star Wars characters' names to each rhythm on the right to figure out which rhythm is a match. Connect the dots. Continue this for each of the characters."

Step 6
Tell students, "Let's check your work." Show students the correct answers on the whiteboard.

Step 7
Tell students, "We just completed the first part of composing a piece. We combined rhythms and lyrics. The next step is to use these rhythms and lyrics in your rap."

Step 8
Tell students, "Let's learn the first part of the Star Wars Rap. Then I'll give you ten minutes to complete the rap with your group. Figure out what order the characters should go in, then write the rhythms and the lyrics on the bottom of your worksheet." Teach the rap in two-measure groups. Provide non-pitched percussion instruments to every student. Circulate around the classroom to help.

Step 9
Tell students, "Let's hear your compositions! The group with the most impressive composition and performance will have an opportunity to perform for your homeroom teacher."

Step 10
Listen to each group. Select a winning group and let them perform for their homeroom teacher.

Extension

Students may elect to add a simple ostinato on a bass xylophone or metallophone to their composition for added texture.