Song Lyrics presentation and activity: U2's Running to Stand Still
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Use Music to teach English Language Arts. Students love the variety in all of these activities and they thrive when you give them the chance to select their own music for analysis. I created all of these resources to be used in an elective ELA class called "The Literature of Music." There is no pPrice $147.00Original Price $156.00Save $9.00
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You’re a U2 fan but your students haven’t heard of them. It’s your job as an ethical educator to introduce them! I love U2 and favor The Joshua Tree and earlier songs over their most recent albums, but I still greatly respect how they keep at it!
In this 12 slide presentation, I have some brief background notes on the band and on the literary definition of “paradox.” Coordinating images/photos throughout.
Have students listen to the song “Running to Stand Still” from The Joshua Tree album. Ask them what they think it’s about and have them record their notes in the margin on the handout included (linked on slide 4). Have a discussion on their interpretations. Then, click through the presentation’s notes on what the song “Running to Stand Still” is “really” about, along with some direct quotes from the writers.
Finally I have 9 U2 songs listed to represent the span of their musical career. Some early songs, middle and then recent songs. Ask students to listen and read the lyrics to then discuss how their music has evolved. You can be super specific and ask them to cite poetic devices or other literary elements… or not, depending on the course you’re teaching.
After doing this lesson I always let the students choose their own favorite band and do something similar, where they bring in a song to share, ask for interpretations, talk about what the band “meant” the song to be, and then share their thoughts on how their chosen band has evolved over time.
If you love using songs to teach ELA, click and check out some of my other published units:
Graphic Organizer for Analyzing Songs
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Songs with Multiple Interpretations
Lyrics as Poetry Assignment and Rubric
Any questions? Just ask and I will respond promptly.
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