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VH1
Heavy: The Story of Metal (Part 2)
VH1 Music Studio
Cable in the Classroom
Lesson for Music Classes, Grades 7-12
Lesson 3
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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 learn to sing the chorus of the song “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister.
- Students will compose an alternate version of the song “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister.
- Students will perform their own version of “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”
- Students will practice proper audience behavior.
National Standards:
1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Evaluating music and music performances.
Materials
- VHS VCR Player
- Television
- Audio playback equipment
- VH1 Heavy: The Story of Metal (Part 2)
- An audio recording of “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister (from album Stay Hungry, 1984)
- Student copies of the Lyrics of “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (provided below)
- An audio recording of the karaoke version of “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (can be found at several online stores; for example, at www.walmart.com you can download it for less than $1. If this is not a possibility, the teacher can accompany the students on a guitar or piano, or have the students come up with their own accompaniment).
- Chalkboard/ dry-erase board
Prior Knowledge:
- Students have viewed Heavy: The Story of Metal (Part 2) in its entiretyand/or completed Lesson 1 and/or Lesson 2.
Procedures
- Ask students to name some of the wrongs in today’s society that they wish were not there (for example: murder, child abuse, theft, gang violence, etc.) and write each one on the board. Ask students if they have heard of any of these wrongs in the news lately.
- Give each student a copy of the lyrics of the song “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister (below).
- Have the students listen to “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”
- After listening to the song, explain to the students that Dee Snider, the lead vocalist of Twisted Sister, wrote this song to express his feelings about certain issues in society at that time. This song was very popular in its day, and even today it is still used very often (for example, it was the anthem in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2003 gubernatorial campaign, and it is used in wrestling, in commercials, protests, political rallies, sports events, etc.).
- Cue the tape to 16:09 ending at 17:26 and have students watch this section that deals with the song.
- Have the students listen to the song again. Encourage them to sing along with the parts they know, especially the chorus.
- Explain to the students that they will compose a verse for the song. It will be with the same original melody but with their self-composed lyrics. They must choose a topic from the board that they would like to write their verse about. They can work together in their choice of a group or individually. They will perform their song for the rest of the class when it is their turn.
- Allow students adequate time to complete their lyrics. Explains to the students when they hear other students’ performances they must applaud for each composition. “Boo-ing” or any negative reaction to any student’s composition is not allowed, as the composition is the expression of the individual and must be respected. Depending on the time limit and the number of students the teacher is working with, the teacher may want to leave the performance part of this lesson for the next class.
- The song will be performed as follows: Chorus – Student’s verse – Chorus.
- Students present their song with the karaoke (or other) accompaniment when it is their turn (the teacher turns the karaoke accompaniment down after the second time the chorus is sung).
National
Standards for Music Education
- Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
- Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
- Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
- Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
- Reading and notating music.
- Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
- Evaluating music and music performances.
- Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
- Understanding music in relation to history and culture.
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