Our Perfect Planet Earth

Idea behind the song:

I have been using music in my classroom with success for many years. However, I felt like I needed to give the students more opportunity to compose lines and "perform". This song is just the thing. We have a BLAST with this one!! The chorus gets stuck in their minds like no other! And, if there is one enduring idea I want them to remember forever and ever...this is it!

Lesson idea:

This lesson is used to address (NSTA standard #.) Print off the Perfect Planet Earth Lesson. Divide the students into six groups. First, I read the introduction. Then, each group is assigned a different reason earth is unique. The groups read and study their own reason.

At this point, either have each group stand up and explain their reason to the group, or have half of the students in a group rotate around telling one group at a time about their reason. Use a Kagan Structure.

The students then have 15 -20 minutes to make up four lines (8 beats each) that rhyme to go in the verse portion of the song. The upcoming performance "raises the level of concern" and engages students immediately. If you are feeling confident and "spunky", try rap-singing the lyrics I have already written to be an "example" for the students. Trust me. They will be very excited to "outperform you". This lesson is my favorite of all-time. :-)

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