The John Lennon Real Love Project Elementary Online Music and Songwriting Curriculum
Introduction
The John Lennon Real Love Project is a visionary music and songwriting program that uses John Lennon’s songs and timeless message of peace, love and gender/racial equality to inspire creative expression, kindness and positive social action.
The first part of the program is a dynamic presentation (30 minutes) during which students learn about John Lennon’s most powerful expressions of brotherhood and sisterhood for the purpose of manifesting those qualities in themselves, their schools and their communities.
The second part of the program is an interactive workshop in which students compose their own lyrics to John Lennon’s “Real Love.” Students then record a new version of “Real Love,” which is combined with John Lennon’s own voice and musical accompaniment in a professional recording.
Overview
“Love is a flower you have to let grow.” — John Lennon
The school selects one grade level, typically 3rd-5th grade, to receive the online presentation and workshop, both of which take place in one school day.
Students view the presentation from their classroom or home via tablet or computer. Afterwards, each class receives a one-hour session with the Teaching Artists to learn about songwriting and compose new lyrical couplets for “Real Love.”
At the end of the day, the teachers, in consultation with the Teaching Artists, select one lyrical couplet from each class, so that voices from each class are heard in the song. Each teacher chooses two students to participate in an online recording session at a later date.
The recording is mixed and sent to the school so that all students and teachers have a copy of their own version of “Real Love” with John Lennon’s voice and instrumental accompaniment.
PREPARATION
A representative from Theatre Within and one of the Teaching Artists confer with a school representative to discuss logistics: picking the grades that will receive the program; selecting dates/times; and discussing potential themes for the songs to be created by the students and the Teaching Artists. A schedule is created based upon a maximum of four sessions (classrooms) per day.
Program Content
“Music is everybody’s possession.”
— John Lennon
CHILDREN WILL LEARN ABOUT:
John Lennon
• His important place in music and social history
• His African-American music influences
• His emphasis on peace, love, equality and kindness
• The evolution of his music and personal growth
Lyric Writing
• Creative expression and revision
• Song Structure (Verses, Chorus and Bridge)
• Poetic Devices: Meter, Rhyming, Point-of-view
Rehearsal, Revision and Recording
• Vocal blending
• Second takes
• Recording tips
Social-Emotional Learning
• Successful collaboration
• Respectful dialogue and good listening
• Honoring one another’s work
