Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Who Rocks Your World?

Goals:  

• Students will recognize and verbalize what qualities they value in music as well as in a performer.  
• Students will communicate their opinion in a clear and organized manner by reading their letter of nomination to the class.
• Students will have the opportunity to develop their public speaking skills.
• Students will clarify their own values regarding music and performers.

Assignments:

1. Write a brief paragraph of an individual  who you think should be inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame and why.
2. Write a business letter using details to support your opinion.
3. Demonstrate public speaking skills by reading your letter in front of the class.

Helpful Websites:

• Performer Search Websites

     http://www.vh1.com/

      http://www.mtv.com/

      http://www.billboard.com/bb/index.jsp

• Current criteria for induction requirements.

       Current Inductees

       Induction Process

• Business Letter Format

       Example One

       Example Two

• Rubric for completed assignment.

Time Line

Day One:

1. Review the current criteria for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2. Allow students to write a paragraph stating who they would like to see inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  They may choose an artist from any era but if they choose a contemporary performer, that artist may not be eligible for some time yet.  In that case, imagine that they are writing sometime in the future.

3. Review the format for writing a business letter.

4. Explain to students that they will be writing a letter in support of their candidate for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Nominees will be voted on in class with awards  going to the top performers selected.  The letter must be a minimum of four paragraphs and should include the following: introduction, description of performer and music, reasons why they should be inducted, conclusion.

5. Students may begin searching for information on their performer to be inducted.

Day Two:

1. Students will continue to look for information on their performer.

2. Students will begin writing their letters in class and complete for homework.

Day Three:

1. Students will participate in peer editing to proofread letters.

2. Students will begin to rewrite letters.

3. Remind students that they will be reading their letters to the class, and that they should bring in a tape or CD of a song by the performer they have nominated.

4. Review public speaking skills with the students: eye contact, clear speaking voice, good pace, varying tones, and clear knowledge of topic.

Day Four:

1. Students will orally share letters and play a sample of their nominees' music.  The audience will record nominees, their qualifications, and personal reactions to the nominees.

2. Class will vote for inductees.

3. Top three winners will be awarded a prize.

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