VH1 Heavy: The Story of Metal (Part 1) VH1 Music Studio Cable in the Classroom Lesson for Music Classes, Grades 7-12 Lesson 2

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Note to Teachers:  The programs viewed in conjunction with these lesson plans may include references, consistent with the eras portrayed, to substance abuse, violent acts, and topics of a sexual and/or political nature. Because this may be considered inappropriate for classroom use in some communities, you are encouraged to review the programs before presenting them to your students, and if necessary, choose those sections that enhance your lesson and are acceptable for use in your classroom.

Objectives

• Students will analyze the images of heavy metal bands (specifically KISS).
• Students will design their own heavy metal band costume.

National Standards:

6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Evaluating music and music performances.
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

Materials

• VHS VCR Player
• Television
• Audio playback equipment
• VH1 Heavy:  The Story of Metal (Part 1)
• Student copies of My Image Worksheet (provided below)
• Pens/pencils (students)
• Paper (students)

Prior Knowledge:

• Students must have a grasp that KISS is known for their attire as well as their music.
• Students must realize many heavy metal bands had an image they were known for.

Procedures

1. Cue Heavy:  The Story of Metal (Part 1) tape to 00:23.  Inform students they will be learning about the band KISS.  They should pay close attention to the image KISS portrays.
   
2. Stop tape at 00:31.  Using the items below, lead a class discussion about the band KISS and their image:
   • from a comic book
   • louder, bigger, better
   • spitting blood, blowing fire
   • our job is “to make complete spectacles of ourselves”
   • went into merchandising
     
     
3. Distribute My Image Worksheet (below) about designing costumes for their heavy metal band.
   
   
4. Have students form groups of two or three to brainstorm costume ideas.  Remind them that each person is to individually design heavy metal costumes for their band.
   
   
5. Give students a reasonable amount of time to complete the assignment and have each student present their project to the class, to include their design inspirations.
   
6. If time allows, continue watching the tape from 00:31 to 00:38 for AC~DC and 00:38 to 00:46 for Judas Priest to get more ideas. 

Extensions:

• KISS used the following merchandising to sell records: memorabilia, dolls, t-shirts, lunch boxes, Pez dispensers, and movies.  Would you consider these types of merchandising to be favorable or unfavorable for a musician today to sell recordings?
  
  
• Talk about over-commercialization that occurs with today’s musicians.  Is the musician truly a good singer or do they sell recordings because they are known in the media?  Some examples you may choose are the following:

Supplemental Resources:

• VH1 website:  www.vh1.com
• MSN music biography of KISS:
  http://www.music.msn.com/artist/?artist=16074164&contenttype=bio

National Standards for Music Education
1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
5. Reading and notating music.
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Evaluating music and music performances.
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

                                                                        NAME__________________

My Image
Directions:

Watch and discuss the VH1 Music Studio Cable in the Classroom program Heavy:  The Story of Metal (Part 1).  You are a member of an up and coming heavy metal band and have been nominated to design your band’s image. Working alone, you are to create a unique and original image of a heavy metal band.  Remember your goal is to stand out from the crowd of the other heavy metal bands, and you do not want to disappoint your many adoring and loyal fans; be creative and magical.  You may use colored pencils, crayons, markers, etc.  After designing your image, please write a paragraph describing your inspiration for your band.  You must have, but are not limited to, four costumes for the following band members:  lead singer, lead guitar, bass guitar, and drummer.

Below are some examples of heavy metal bands and their images that were portrayed in Heavy: The Story of Metal (Part 1).

These standards-based materials are provided through a partnership with MENC:  The National Association for Music Education.  This lesson plan was created by MENC member Holly E. Nester, ISD #2754 Cedar Mountain Schools, Franklin, MN and Saint Michael’s School, Morgan, MN.