Lesson Plan: Grammar in Pop Culture

Nybria Johnson
Time: 15 minutes
8th Grade students

Title of Lesson
Lets Groove!
Purpose/Rationale:
For the past week, students in this 8th grade class has endured rigorous and extensive
lecture on the 5 Linguistic Elements of Language. Understanding why and how the 5
Linguistic Elements of Language affects a text or any other written work will help
students to grasp the three aspect of language: language form, language meaning, and
language in context. The purpose this lesson is to have the students closely
examine/dissect the lyrics to popular song (in this case, the song is Roar by Katy Perry)
and explain how one of the 5 Linguistic Elements of Language (phonology, morphology,
syntax, semantics, pragmatics) contribute to message the song is trying to get across.
Being that the students have already endured tedious lectures on the linguistic elements
of language, this lesson will give the students an opportunity to apply what they know
about the elements to a more familiar platform. To complete this task, students will be
give 4 minutes to listen to the song and 9 minutes to write their explanations; extra time
be given during class time, if needed.
LAFS Standards:
LAFS.8.SL.1.2
Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g.,
visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial,
political) behind its presentation.
LAFS.8.W.2.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types
are defined in standards 13 above.)

Objectives:
SWBAT produce clear and coherent written explanations explaining their reasons.
SWBAT understand how the 5 Linguistic Elements of Language contributes to the main
idea/message in a text or song.
SWBAT synthesize their learning by applying the knowledge they attained from previous
lectures to their current assignment.
Materials:

Paper
Pen or Pencil
Smart board
Roar by Katy Perry lyrics sheet (one for each student)

Anticipatory Set:
To begin, the teacher will have students to draw their attention to the prompt on the smart
board and then explain, by reading out loud, the assignment:
After listening to the song, you have 9 minutes to explain how one of the 5 Linguistic
Elements of Language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics)
contribute to the message the song is trying to get across. This explanation should be at
least one paragraph (7 sentences) and needs to include at least 2 examples backing up
your statements. I will be passing each of you a lyrics sheet to reference to.
If extra time is needed, I will allow you to continue the assignment at the beginning of
class.
The teacher will then ask, Does everyone understand what they need to do? Once the
students fully understand, they can begin.
Teaching Strategy/Procedure/Activity:
Time
Anticipatory set:
2 minutes

Student is doing:
Students are listening to the
instructions for the assignment.
(See anticipatory set)

4 minutes

Students are listening and

watching video of Roar by Katy
Perry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?

Teacher is doing:
Teacher is explaining the
activity to students and passing
out Roar by Katy Perry lyrics
sheet. (See anticipatory set)
Teacher is watching the time
and making sure that each
student is staying on task.

v=CevxZvSJLk8
9 minutes

Students are writing their

Teacher is watching the time
explanations as to how one of the
and is answering questions of
5 Linguistic Elements of Language students that need help.
contribute to the message the song
is trying to get across.

Summary/Closure:
Teacher will conclude the activity by providing extra time to those that need it and collect
the explanations.
Assessment:
Formal assessment: 1 point will be given to each student that stays on the task.
Informal assessment: The teacher will evaluate the students by reading their explanations
and making sure that they are grasping the concepts.
Homework/follow-up assignment:
None
Accommodations/adaptations:
Student with Learning Disability (ADHD)
The teacher will frequently monitor the student and establish eye contact with the student.
Also the teacher will go over to the student to make sure the student understand the
assignment. Moreover, the teacher will allow student to stand at times while working.
The teacher will allow this student to type out their explanations on the laptop; the
teacher will have the laptop set up on Microsoft Word.
Student with ADHD/Anxiety/OCD
The teacher will have the daily schedule posted in a spot clearly visible to the student.
The teacher will stick to the routine that has been previously established. The teacher will
also, walk around the classroom during times when the students should be doing the
assignment. While walking around, the teacher will privately consult with the student and
ask whether the student need assistance. Additionally, the teacher will use lavish praise
for desirable behavior. Also the teacher will allow this student to type out their
explanations on the class set of laptops.

Two English Language Learners

The teacher will allow the students extra time during lunch periods or after school to
finish the letter.

Attachments/Appendices:
Attachment #1
Katy Perry Roar Lyrics
I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sat quietly, agreed politely
I guess I forgot I had a choice
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything
You held me down, but I got up (hey!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, your hear that sound
Like thunder, gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up
Get ready 'cause I had enough
I see it all, I see it now
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter
Dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar!
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar!
Now I'm floating like a butterfly

Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes

I went from zero, to my own hero
You held me down, but I got up (hey!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, your hear that sound
Like thunder, gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up
Get ready 'cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter
Dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar!
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar!
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar!
Roar, roar, roar, roar, roar!
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter
Dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar!
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar!
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar!
Songwriters: PERRY, KATY / MARTIN, MAX / GOTTWALD, LUKASZ / MCKEE,
BONNIE LEIGH / WALTER, HENRY RUSSELL

Plan B:
If the bell-ringer takes longer than expected, then the teacher will let the assignment spill
over, especially since the following class discussion will be based on the explanations.

Resources:
Roar Lyrics. (n.d.). Retrieved June 8, 2015, from http://www.lyricsfreak.com/k/katy
perry/roar_21066331.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CevxZvSJLk8