Name: Stephanie Jiron and Amanda Godoy

Grade: 8th grade mixed choir

Title: Versions of National Anthem
Time: 3 class periods (2 for organizing, and one for performance)
Essential Questions:
What aspects of music do students use to arrange their own version of a
popular melody?
Musical Focus
Singing
Melody
Harmony
Form
Goals/Objectives
Students will understand the difference between covering a song and
creating a version of a song
Students will learn how to create harmonies to a popular melody.
Standards Addressed
1. Standard 1
2. Standard 2
Resources
(National anthem video links)
Process
Class 1:
1. Students will be given sheet music for the original melody of the Star
Spangled Banner. Students will sing the melody together as a class to ensure
they know the melody. (20 minutes)
2. Various videos will be presented to the students showing different versions
and covers of the Star Spangled Banner. It will be explained what is the
difference between a cover and a version of a song. It will be discussed how
those performers changed the form of the national anthem, and how they
made it their own. (20 minutes)
3. Students will then review the basic harmonies mostly used in music such as
3rd, 5ths, and octaves. (10 minutes)
4. Students will then separate into groups of 4 and begin working towards their
own version of the National Anthem. (40 minutes)

Class 2:
1. Groups will present what they have arranged so far to assure that they are
going in the right direction. Students can provide feedback to each other.
(30 minutes)
2. Students will go into their groups and finish arranging their version of the
national anthem. (45 minutes)
3. Students will discuss what they learned last class on arranging versions
versus making a cover of a song, how to create harmonies, and changing the
form of a known melody. (15 minutes)
Class 3:
1. Groups will get together and go over their arrangements and make sure they
are ready to perform. (10 minutes)
2. Groups will perform their version of the national anthem in front of the class.
Students will take notes on each others group performances and how they
made the national anthem their own.(60 minutes)
3. Students will then discuss their notes on the group performances as a class
discussion. (10 minutes)
4. Students will write their own group assessment based on how they felt their
performance was, how well their group worked together (challenges they
faced, and strengths) and turn it in at the end of class. (10 minutes)

Assessment

Group performance (arrangement, form)

Grade on self assessment