Project Overview
In this project, the students of the Tumwater High School chamber choir will be collaborating with the students of the Gymnasium Hohenbaden to learn the poetic meaning for their German language song, Der Abend by Johannes Brahms. They will also be helping their German counterparts learn about the context and content of the lyrics of Rise Up Shepherd, And Follow arr. Vijay Singh. They will communicate using Skype and email. The objective of this project is to improve their understanding of Der Abend while also learning more about another culture. At the end of the project, they will produce their own poetic English translation of Der Abend, as well as a brief reflection on the experience of speaking with German students and learning about the German language and culture.
In this project, the students of the Tumwater High School chamber choir will be collaborating with the students of the Gymnasium Hohenbaden to learn the poetic meaning for their German language song, Der Abend by Johannes Brahms. They will also be helping their German counterparts learn about the context and content of the lyrics of Rise Up Shepherd, And Follow arr. Vijay Singh. They will communicate using Skype and email. The objective of this project is to improve their understanding of Der Abend while also learning more about another culture. At the end of the project, they will produce their own poetic English translation of Der Abend, as well as a brief reflection on the experience of speaking with German students and learning about the German language and culture.
Instructional Materials Needed
- Skype - School computer lab
- Email account
- Word processor
- Sheet music for Der Abend by Johannes Brahms
- Text of Der Abend
- Sheet music for Rise Up Shepherd, and Follow, arr. Vijay Singh
- Text of American Folk Suite
- Pencil
- Notebooks for note taking and idea development
Washington Technology Standards Addressed
WA Technology Standard One
EALR 1 Students use technology within all content areas to collaborate, communicate, generate innovative ideas, investigate and solve problems. Component 1.2: Collaborate: Use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others |
WA Technology Standard Two
EALR 2 Students demonstrate a clear understanding of technology systems and operations and practice safe, legal and ethical behavior. Component 2.1: Practice Safety: Practice safe, legal and ethical behavior in the use of information and technology. |
Justification for WA Technology Standards Being Met
EALR 1.2: Collaborate: Using Skype and email to communicate with their German counterparts will teach the students how to use these resources effectively and creatively for future projects. They will also learn that these tools can be used to communicate with people all over the world to learn about the cultures of other people. They will also be learning to cooperate with people of distinct cultures. Not only will they be learning about the German context for their song, but they will also be helping their German peers understand the American context of their American folk song. This kind of collaboration is invaluable in an increasingly global community.
EALR 2.1 Practice Safety: With these tools comes a responsibility to use them appropriately. Before and during the project, the students of both the American and German classes will be instructed about internet etiquette, as well as cultural sensitivity. They will also be instructed in how to use Skype and email safely, in order to avoid predators and inappropriate content. Because they are using Skype on school computers for this project, they will be supervised, but they are responsible for the emails they send. They will be encouraged from staying in touch with their new friends after the project is complete, but they will be instructed to never accept contact requests from contacts they do not recognize. The students will also be instructed in copyright law, and they only use legally obtained copies of the music and lyrics for the project.
EALR 2.1 Practice Safety: With these tools comes a responsibility to use them appropriately. Before and during the project, the students of both the American and German classes will be instructed about internet etiquette, as well as cultural sensitivity. They will also be instructed in how to use Skype and email safely, in order to avoid predators and inappropriate content. Because they are using Skype on school computers for this project, they will be supervised, but they are responsible for the emails they send. They will be encouraged from staying in touch with their new friends after the project is complete, but they will be instructed to never accept contact requests from contacts they do not recognize. The students will also be instructed in copyright law, and they only use legally obtained copies of the music and lyrics for the project.
Project Plan
Background Information
Choirs often sing songs in foreign languages. Though it is not always vital that the singers know exactly what each individual word means as they are singing it, it is very important that they understand the overall meaning of the piece. They should also have a strong conception of what each line and verse means within the work as a whole. To this end, the texts of many foreign language songs are translated poetically into the language of the performers, in this case English. The poetic translation may not fit the rhythm or cadence of the original poetry and song, but it does a convey the meaning of the text more effectively within the performer's cultural and linguistic context.
Project Outline
For this project, the students will each be paired with a German partner of similar age. Because the German students speak English fluently, the conversation will be in English, but the American students will be encouraged to learn some basic German. The pairs of students will work together to create a poetic translation of both the English and German texts. Through a series of seven scheduled Skype sessions, and six component assignments, each pair of students will create their own English poetic translation of Der Abend, and a German poetic translation of Rise Up Shepherd, And Follow.
The students will help each other to understand the cultural context and connotations of the lyrics to each of the songs. The goal is for both choirs to improve their interpretation of their respective songs. After the first Skype session, in which the students get to know each other, each session and assignment will be focused on translating a single verse of the song. These Skype sessions will occur every Monday and Thursday over the course of three weeks. Between each session, the students will work on their translation assignments on their own, and by communicating to their partner by email. The assignments will involve research into the words in the text and discussion with their partner about their historical and cultural connotations.
Culminating Joint Project
By the end of the project, the students will have produced poetic translations of both songs to present for the class. The translations should be a representation of the two students' collaboration and increased understanding of one another's cultures. The final evaluation of their project will occur when the students present their translation and their understanding of the song to the class. Each student will write a brief reflection about the translation process, including a description of the song's content and meaning, and the student's thoughts about getting to know and working with their German partner. As a class, the American students will discuss the text and how their new understanding of it will influence their interpretation of the music in their performance.
Choirs often sing songs in foreign languages. Though it is not always vital that the singers know exactly what each individual word means as they are singing it, it is very important that they understand the overall meaning of the piece. They should also have a strong conception of what each line and verse means within the work as a whole. To this end, the texts of many foreign language songs are translated poetically into the language of the performers, in this case English. The poetic translation may not fit the rhythm or cadence of the original poetry and song, but it does a convey the meaning of the text more effectively within the performer's cultural and linguistic context.
Project Outline
For this project, the students will each be paired with a German partner of similar age. Because the German students speak English fluently, the conversation will be in English, but the American students will be encouraged to learn some basic German. The pairs of students will work together to create a poetic translation of both the English and German texts. Through a series of seven scheduled Skype sessions, and six component assignments, each pair of students will create their own English poetic translation of Der Abend, and a German poetic translation of Rise Up Shepherd, And Follow.
The students will help each other to understand the cultural context and connotations of the lyrics to each of the songs. The goal is for both choirs to improve their interpretation of their respective songs. After the first Skype session, in which the students get to know each other, each session and assignment will be focused on translating a single verse of the song. These Skype sessions will occur every Monday and Thursday over the course of three weeks. Between each session, the students will work on their translation assignments on their own, and by communicating to their partner by email. The assignments will involve research into the words in the text and discussion with their partner about their historical and cultural connotations.
Culminating Joint Project
By the end of the project, the students will have produced poetic translations of both songs to present for the class. The translations should be a representation of the two students' collaboration and increased understanding of one another's cultures. The final evaluation of their project will occur when the students present their translation and their understanding of the song to the class. Each student will write a brief reflection about the translation process, including a description of the song's content and meaning, and the student's thoughts about getting to know and working with their German partner. As a class, the American students will discuss the text and how their new understanding of it will influence their interpretation of the music in their performance.
This project is loosely based on a lesson plan of my own creation.