by Mark Everard

Studying popular music can be a dynamic way to integrate media studies into your classroom. The following activities will help students think critically about the music they enjoy.

1. Response Assignment
Students read a CD or concert review and respond to it orally or in writing.

2. Research Projects
Students research a favourite band/artist or musical style.

3. New Music Showcase
Students play and discuss the best track from a recording they've recently discovered.

4. Personal Writing Activity
Students write on the role music plays in their lives.

5. Trends Survey
Students identify and discuss recent trends in popular music.

6. Music History
Groups of students compile chronologies of major developments in popular music.

7. Music Video Presentation
Students show and critically analyse music videos that they consider to be artistic or controversial.

8. Canadian Music Contest
Students compete in groups to see who can compile the biggest list of Canadian recording artists.

9. Oldies Day
Students play and discuss recordlngs that are at least 10 years old.

10. Local Talent Search
Students introduce and play demo tapes of their own or friend's bands.

Reprinted, with permission, from Mediacy, the newsletter of Ontario's Association for Media Literacy, Volume 16, Number 2.