Thursday, October 8, 2015

In the Art Room: Art Will Rock You! An Art History Song

Hi, friends! This past weekend, I went all crazy and decided to write an Art History Ballad to the tune of Queen's We Will Rock You. You see, I've had this Rockin' Art History Wall in my room for ages...but I always thought it'd be fun to have a song to go with it. If you follow me and my art teacherin' adventures here, you've seen some images of my magnificent (ahem) song writing attempts. This week, after our sketchbook time, and right before our painting adventures, we took a 5 minute trip to the Art History Wall and I taught my third and fourth graders the first two stanzas (is that what they're called?) of the Art Will Rock You song. I managed to film a class of third graders singing the song and chatting for a hot minute about the art history the song covers. I had to keep it short and sweet as we had a lot of other things to pack into our hour together. 
My sincerest apologies for my voice. And that jib-jab in the middle. feel free to just scroll on to the end to catch the second half of the song. 








I did do a lil reno on the wall this summer as the purple papers were looking a lil faded. 
The first portion of the song is about Rock Painting followed by Ancient Egypt. Here are the lyrics if you'd like!
This one was so much fun to write...I wish the others had come as easily. A songwriter, I am not!
A lil tricky to sing, as you'll notice in the video. We'll get it!
The next portions of our song will include the Ancient Greeks and Romans. I'll be teaching a little more of the song each week...at least, that's the plan. With it only taking 5 minutes, I think it will go well. I did have a couple extra minutes at the end of a first grade class this week and we did it too! They loved it! All that stomping and clapping was a hit with the kids. 

I'm not totes in love with the lyrics for the Romans and Greeks so they are kinda a work in progress. If you've got suggestions, I'll take 'em!
And if you decide to use this in your art room, I'd love to hear from you! You can always comment here or shoot me an email. I'll be sure to update the blog with more of the song as it comes along. And, if you'd be so kind, if you do use this, please share this blog post with your friends so they can as well. Thanks!
 photo signature_zpsd10b3273.png

21 comments:

  1. You ROCK Cassie! You are art teacher extraordinaire!! I might use this song but I'm already using many other of your great ideas. My new routine of "Masterpiece of the Week" along with "I see.....I think....I wonder....." Is working well and is so beneficial to my students I believe. Keep it coming Cassie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm so glad you are using the weekly masterpiece! It's a lot to keep up with...but worth it!!

      Delete
  2. You ROCK Cassie! You are art teacher extraordinaire!! I might use this song but I'm already using many other of your great ideas. My new routine of "Masterpiece of the Week" along with "I see.....I think....I wonder....." Is working well and is so beneficial to my students I believe. Keep it coming Cassie!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous10/09/2015

    Cassie Stephens! Finally...an art teacher that I can look up to! YOU COMPLETE ME! I cannot wait to use this AWESOME song. YOU AMAZE ME...
    Artfully Yours,
    Kelly Tokoly-Rothermel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, you're comment made my day! Thank you!!

      Delete
  4. You are such an amazing, energetic and inspiring teacher. I wish all kids could have a teacher like you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are very sweet...I have my moments!

      Delete
  5. this is just so great. many thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous10/11/2015

    This is great! I will try this, this week and see what happens. Keep sharing your awesome Art teaching techniques!

    Karen Williams , Art Teacher San Antonio, TX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Will do! I'll share more as I come up with more :)

      Delete
  7. I LURVE this song......Thanks for sharing your wild imagination and creative ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You are the best! Sincerely...I loved this song! SUPER, just wish I had that much pizzazz!!! YOU ROCK! and, I love your art room! Takes years to get it there, but wow!! SO MUCH FUN!

    ReplyDelete
  9. hi!! I'm an art teacher as well but from Chili (south America) and I got no words to describe how fascinated I am with you work!! congrats! Love the song by the way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AW!! Thank you so much!! You just made my day! This song and the process of teaching it to the kids is a work in progress...I'll be keeping you all posted here on just how it evolves. Thank you for your kind words!

      Delete
  10. Cassie!!!!!!!!!!! Ok I adopted this for my two schools and am in week two of it! The kids LOVE it! And it works so well as a 5 minute history lesson! I can't say enough good things about it! Next week: Greeks!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    <3 Susie B. Wisconsin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awesome!! I am modifying this and working on more lyrics so stay tuned!! So glad you are loving it :)

      Delete
  11. hey miss stephens you know daniel im his brother i love your art :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Daniel is so sweet! Nice to meet his big sis!! :)

      Delete
  12. I absolutely love this idea! I a going to attempt it in my room. I was curious if you have the remainder of the lyrics done? Thank you for sharing!!!!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for your comments. I appreciate each and every one :)

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.