Heyer Learning » middle school

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).

“See You Again” by Miley Cyrus – Song Review

Mr. Heyer — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:07:32 +0000

Song: “See You Again” (mp3) by Miley Cyrus on the album, Breakout (CD).

Length: 3:16

Lyrics: Safe.

Topic: Safe. The song is about being nervous and awkward the first time you meet someone and hoping to try to do a better job the next time you meet. There is hope this meeting could lead to a romantic relationship.

Theme: Infatuation and poise.

Recommended Age: Middle School or High School.

Genre: Pop leaning toward Rock.

Year: 2008.

Video: No official video. Youtube has a video with the audio track of the song with her performing in front of an audience. It’s has video effects such as stars shooting out of her hands and mirrored shots.

“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.