Heyer Learning » junior high

Touch the Strings by Mark McCain and Erika Johnson – Album Review

Mr. Heyer — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 14:04:52 +0000

modern classical, Celtic, bluegrass, and jazz

Album: Touch the Strings (CD) by Mark McCain and Erika Johnson.

I included a whole album suggestion because this CD is great for times when students need to work silently. Some pieces may help to keep up a student’s pace during journal writing. Other songs are good for silent reading.

Lyrics: None (instrumental).

Style: Guitarist and Cellist playing modern classical, Celtic, bluegrass, and jazz. Peaceful, positive, energizing, and uplifting.

Recommended Age: Any.

Genre: Strings.

Year: 2003.

Videos: Live performances from TouchTheStrings.com.

“Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid – Song Review

Mr. Heyer — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:46:50 +0000

Song: “Cupid Shuffle” (mp3) by Cupid on the album, Time for a Change (CD).

Length: 3:51

Lyrics: Safe.

Topic: Safe. Directions on which dance moves to do for this song.

Theme: dancing.

Recommended Age: Any.

Genre: R&B.

Year: 2007.

Video: (MTV | YouTube). Shots many different people dancing to the song in a variety of settings.

“American Honey” by Lady Antebellum – Song Review

Mr. Heyer — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:29:23 +0000

Song: “American Honey” (mp3) by Lady Antebellum on the album, Need You Now (CD).

Length: 3:45

Lyrics: Safe.

Topic: Safe. Reminiscing about childhood and longing to have the good times back again.

Theme: sentimentality, comfort, and longing.

Recommended Age: Any.

Genre: Country.

Year: 2010.

Video: (CMT | YouTube). Shots of the band members singing in the countryside intermixed with shots of childhood innocence. A young boy rides a bike, and a young girl walks among laundry drying on clotheslines. A teenage boy and girl hold hands, take a walk, and eventually share a short, tender kiss (so it may get giggles from some elementary students).

“Soul Meets Body” by Death Cab for Cutie – Song Review

Mr. Heyer — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 18:01:31 +0000

Song: “Soul Meets Body” (mp3) by Death Cab for Cutie on the album, Plans (CD).

Length: 3:50

Lyrics: Safe.

Topic: Safe. Abstractly telling of the desire for something better. Includes a metaphor that someone else is a “song” he has a singular connection to in this gritty life. Possible spiritual self-examination.

Theme: Longing and connection.

Recommended Age: Any. Abstractness of the lyrics lends itself to high school and maybe middle school, but the music is beautiful and would appeal to any age.

Genre: Indie Rock. Haunting and beautiful.

Year: 2005.

Video: (AOL Music | YouTube | Directions DVD). The singer walks to a cabin in the woods where he joins the band to play. On the walk we see some sort of plant or fungus grow and float into the air. Mixed with shots of the band, we see the plants turn into musical notes and float across the country to the sea.

“Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley and the Wailers – Song Review

Mr. Heyer — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 02:12:47 +0000

Song: “Three Little Birds” (mp3) by Bob Marley and the Wailers on the albums, Exodus (CD), or, Legend (CD).

Lyrics: Safe.

Topic: Safe. The speaker tells of waking up to find three birds perched on his doorstep. He personifies them or imagines their song is telling him everything is going to be alright.

Theme: Hope and optimism.

Recommended Age: Any.

Genre: Reggae. Upbeat dance music.

Year: 1977.

Video: No official music video.