Sing Along with João!

Developed by: Nicolau… (with assistance from Profy technology)
Knowledge Area/Subjects: Portuguese Language
Theme: Reading and Interpretation - João's Adventures

In the activity 'Sing Along with João!', students will draw inspiration from the story of João and the popular song 'Mbhalele-Mbhalele'. Working in groups, they will create original songs that capture João's adventures, focusing on key plot moments. After writing their lyrics, they will practice and perform their songs for the class. The session will conclude with a debate, where students will discuss the role of songs in storytelling and reflect on the lessons learned from João's journey. This activity aims to enhance students' reading comprehension, creativity, and collaborative skills while aligning with their cognitive and social development stages.

Learning Objectives

The primary learning objectives for this activity are to develop students' reading comprehension, enhance their ability to identify key ideas and details in complex texts, and encourage creative expression through songwriting. By working in teams, students will develop their collaborative skills, learn to mediate conflicts, and understand the importance of equal contribution. The activity also aims to build their confidence in public speaking and performing arts, fostering a supportive environment where feedback is shared constructively. By analyzing and debating the impact of music in storytelling, students will engage in critical thinking and argumentation, essential skills for their educational growth.

  • Enhance reading comprehension of complex texts.
  • Develop creative expression through songwriting.
  • Foster collaborative work and conflict mediation.
  • Encourage critical thinking and argumentation.

Lesson Content

The syllabus focuses on engaging students with the narrative 'João's Adventures' through active participation. It covers reading comprehension strategies, creative expression techniques, and the interplay between music and storytelling. Students will learn to draw thematic connections between different forms of art and literature. The syllabus emphasizes teamwork as students collaboratively write, rehearse, and perform their songs, reflecting on the storytelling process. This approach supports the development of communication and social skills aligned with the BNCC, preparing students to engage with diverse texts and mediums creatively and critically.

  • Reading comprehension strategies.
  • Creative songwriting techniques.
  • Interplay between music and storytelling.
  • Collaborative project execution.

Methodology

This activity employs active learning methodologies, encouraging students to engage with content innovatively and interactively. The hands-on approach enables students to explore their creativity and express personal interpretations of João's story through music. Discussion and debate foster critical thinking, prompting students to articulate their thoughts clearly. Collaborative learning is emphasized as students work in groups, enhancing their teamwork skills, and think collectively about how to represent key story themes. Through these methodologies, students experience a learning process that integrates knowledge across disciplines, promoting both intellectual and social growth.

  • Hands-on creative exploration.
  • Collaborative learning in groups.
  • Critical discussion and debate.

Schedule

The activity is structured into one comprehensive 60-minute session designed to maximize student engagement and productivity. It begins with a brief introduction to João's story and the song 'Mbhalele-Mbhalele', followed by group division for song creation. The session will continue with practice and preparation for performances. Finally, a group discussion will be held to reflect on the performances and debate the role of songs in storytelling. The timeline ensures each component receives focused attention, facilitating a fulfilling learning experience.

  • Introduction to João's story and song.
  • Moment 1: Introduction to the Story (Estimated: 15 minutes)
    Begin the session by giving a brief introduction about João and the context of the story. Provide background information to help students connect emotionally with João's character. Read a short excerpt from João's adventures to hook the students' interest. It's important that you engage students by asking questions about what they think happens next. This will help assess their initial comprehension and curiosity levels.

    Moment 2: Listening to 'Mbhalele-Mbhalele' (Estimated: 15 minutes)
    Play the song 'Mbhalele-Mbhalele' for the students, encouraging them to listen attentively. Provide a handout with the song's lyrics for them to follow along. Ask students to highlight or note any parts of the song that relate to João's journey as they listen. This activity will support their listening skills and link music to the story narrative. Afterwards, facilitate a brief discussion about their thoughts and the emotions conveyed by the song.

    Moment 3: Discussion and Interpretation (Estimated: 20 minutes)
    Organize a group discussion by dividing students into smaller groups. Encourage each group to discuss the connections between the song and João's story. Guide them to consider the role of music in enhancing storytelling. Provide prompts such as 'How does music shape our understanding of João's emotions during his journey?'. Observe if students actively participate and provide encouraging feedback. This activity aims to enhance comprehension and interpretation skills as well as foster critical thinking.

    Moment 4: Sharing Insights (Estimated: 10 minutes)
    Allow each group to present the main points from their discussion to the whole class. Encourage them to voice different perspectives or new insights gained from peers. It's important that you facilitate this moment to ensure that all groups have an opportunity to share, and manage the time allocated to each presentation. Conclude this moment by summarizing the key ideas discussed, reinforcing the link between music and storytelling.

  • Group work for song creation.
  • Moment 1: Introduction to Song Creation (Estimated: 10 minutes)
    Begin by explaining the task: students will work in groups to create their own songs inspired by João's adventures. Clarify that each group should incorporate key plot points from João's story. Encourage creativity and remind students to think about how music highlights the emotions and themes of the narrative.

    Moment 2: Group Brainstorming and Planning (Estimated: 20 minutes)
    Divide the students into small groups. Provide each group with art supplies, such as paper and pens, to jot down ideas. Facilitate a brainstorming session where they discuss and decide on the key moments of João's story they want to highlight in their song. Guide them to think about the mood and message of their song. Move around the room to provide support, ensuring each group stays focused and collaborative.

    Moment 3: Lyric Writing Phase (Estimated: 20 minutes)
    Instruct the groups to start crafting their lyrics, using the notes from their brainstorming session. Encourage them to divide duties—some can write verses while others focus on the chorus. Provide feedback as needed to help them refine their lyrics. Pay attention to their collaboration skills, motivating them to solve any minor disagreements effectively.

    Moment 4: Sharing Initial Drafts (Estimated: 10 minutes)
    Invite each group to present a brief portion of their song to the class, highlighting the storyline captured through their lyrics. Offer positive feedback and constructive suggestions to each group, emphasizing the connection between their song and João's adventure. Allow time for peers to give their input too, fostering a supportive environment.

  • Rehearsal and performance.
  • Moment 1: Rehearsal Preparation (Estimated: 15 minutes)
    Begin by explaining the goal of this session: rehearsing and performing the newly created songs. Ensure students understand the importance of preparation to convey João's story effectively. Provide each group with time to organize their roles. Encourage them to utilize any instruments, clapping, or props available to enhance their performance. Move around to monitor progress, offer guidance on vocal projection, and address any challenges.

    Moment 2: Group Rehearsal (Estimated: 20 minutes)
    Allow groups time to rehearse. Guide them to focus on synchronizing their parts and maintaining the flow of their narratives while singing. Suggest one or two rehearsal runs to build confidence. Actively observe group dynamics, offering praise for successful collaborative efforts and suggesting constructive adjustments if needed. Keep track of time to ensure all groups have equal rehearsal opportunities.

    Moment 3: Class Performances (Estimated: 20 minutes)
    Transition to the performance phase by inviting each group to present their song to the class. Emphasize the importance of audience engagement and storytelling clarity. Facilitate a positive atmosphere by encouraging supportive feedback from peers. After each performance, offer praise and thoughtful observations. Allow brief peer reflections to highlight strengths and suggest areas for improvement.

    Moment 4: Reflective Debrief (Estimated: 5 minutes)
    Conclude the session with a reflective discussion. Ask students what they learned from both performing and observing others. Facilitate a dialogue on how musical elements can enhance narrative storytelling. Capture insights on posters or a whiteboard to reinforce learning outcomes. This activity aims to consolidate students’ understanding of music's role in conveying emotion and storyline.

  • Debate on the role of music in storytelling.
  • Activity 1: Introduction to the Debate Topic (Estimated: 10 minutes)
    Begin by explaining the purpose of debating the role of music in storytelling. Provide a brief background on how music has traditionally been used to enhance narratives, citing examples from films, plays, or even historical storytelling. Pose questions such as 'How does music influence our interpretation of stories?' to stimulate interest. Prepare students to ensure they understand the topic and its relevancy. It's important that you encourage student curiosity about different perspectives on the matter.

    Activity 2: Group Formation and Position Assignment (Estimated: 10 minutes)
    Divide students into small groups, ensuring a mix of perspectives in each. Assign each group a position to argue: either in support of music as a critical element in storytelling or against it. Allow them a few minutes to gather initial thoughts and questions on their positions. Encourage them to think critically about both sides of the argument. This setup is crucial as it prepares them for an engaging and productive debate.

    Activity 3: Research and Argument Preparation (Estimated: 15 minutes)
    Permit each group to spend time researching or brainstorming key points that support their assigned position. Provide access to resources such as books, articles, or previously read texts that explore the relationship between music and narratives. Guide students to structure their arguments logically, encouraging them to include specific examples to back their claims. Observe their progress and provide feedback to help refine their points.

    Activity 4: Conducting the Debate (Estimated: 20 minutes)
    Organize the class into a traditional debate format where each group has the opportunity to present their opening statements, followed by rebuttals and closing arguments. Facilitate the debate by ensuring each group respects speaking times and engages in active listening to their peers. Encourage them to maintain a respectful tone and to focus on evidence-based arguments. As the debate unfolds, note key points raised by each side for collective reflection.

    Activity 5: Conclusion and Reflection (Estimated: 5 minutes)
    Conclude the class with a reflective discussion on the insights gained from the debate. Ask students what surprised them and how they see music in storytelling differently now. Allow a few minutes for individual written reflections on their experience and the arguments heard. It's important that you emphasize the value of diverse viewpoints and the skill of critical analysis.

Assessment

The evaluation process is designed to be multi-faceted, reflecting the diverse objectives of the activity. Formative assessments will be utilized to monitor student engagement and collaborative efforts throughout the project. Summative assessment will focus on the song's creativity, group cooperation, and performance delivery. Feedback will be provided after the performances, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. Criteria include comprehension of story themes, originality, teamwork dynamics, and confidence during the performance. These evaluations ensure that all learning goals are met while nurturing students' personal and academic growth.

  • Formative assessment during group work.
  • Summative assessment of final performances.
  • Constructive feedback session post-performance.

Materials and tools:

The resources for this activity are thoughtfully selected to support an engaging and interactive learning environment without incurring high costs. Key resources include access to the story text, audio equipment for music playback, and basic art supplies for lyric writing. Wherever possible, digital tools such as tablets or smartboards can be incorporated to aid in songwriting and presentation. These resources are intended to facilitate creativity and ensure all students can participate fully and effectively, aligning with best practices for learning material integration.

  • Story text and lyrics for 'Mbhalele-Mbhalele'.
  • Audio equipment for music playback.
  • Art supplies for lyric writing.

Inclusion and Accessibility

We appreciate the dedication required to provide an inclusive learning environment and recognize the value of these strategies in supporting all students. Thankfully, there are no specific adaptations needed for students with disabilities in this class. Nonetheless, ensuring accessibility and inclusion remains a priority. Simple strategies such as seating arrangements that promote visibility and interaction, using varied communication modes to discuss concepts, and fostering a classroom culture that respects diverse opinions can be easily implemented. Teachers can encourage active participation by praising diverse ideas and ensuring each student feels valued in their contribution. Monitoring dynamics and providing one-on-one support when necessary will help address any unforeseen challenges while promoting a collaborative learning atmosphere.

  • Inclusive seating arrangements.
  • Use of varied communication modes.
  • Fostering a culture of respect and inclusion.

All lesson plans are created and reviewed by teachers like you, with the help of Artificial Intelligence

Create your own lesson plan
You still have 1 lesson plans to read this month
Create your free account
and have free access to more than 30.000 lesson plans without cost