“Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” The Lesson

[Pages:4]"Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)"

The Lesson

Introduction

Analysis and History of "Everyone's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)"

Mary Schmich

Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) was originally a newspaper column written by Schmich. It appeared as a quirky commencement speech in Chicago Tribune's June 1, 1997 paper. Soon after the speech appeared in Schmich's column it developed a life of its own on the Internet. An Internet rumor stated that it was a commencement speech given by author Kurt Vonnegut for the 1997 graduating class of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Eventually Vonnegut received news of his "speech" and gave credit to the original author.

Baz Luhrmann

Luhrmann, born Mark Anthony Luhrmann, is most noted as an award winning Australian director known for his theatrical films, such as Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge. However, he is also a fan of Schmich's online column. After reading her "commencement" column, he contacted Schmich and the Tribune requesting permission to use her words. With permission, he had Australian voice actor, Lee Perry, read the column over quiet music. The song was a huge success and became the UK's #1 hit for 1999.

*To learn more about the history of please see the attached URL.* news/columnists/chi-990331sunscreensong,0,660337.story

Guiding Questions

1) Does music inspire change or does change inspire music? 2) Are people, regardless of race, age, gender, citizenship, religion, ethnicity, different from?

Learning Objectives

Students will...

1) Evaluate whether or not music inspires change or change inspires music. 2) Analyze the lyrics to "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" and relate them to their own lives. 3) Compare and Contrast the "Class of `99" in the song with their "Class of '09."

Preparation Instructions

Song used in this lesson

"Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)"

Lesson Activities

Do Now: T-P-S Create a list on inspiration songs or music. Why are they inspirational?

1). Distribute lyrics and listen to song "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)." You may also play the YouTube video of the song. Once the song is played, distribute questions (see below) for "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)." Place the students into small groups and assign each group different questions. Once the small group discussions are completed, ask each group to share their answers with the class. This activity can also be done as a whole class discussion with the teacher using Attachment A as a guide.

2). Pass out post it notes to every student. Review some of the advice that was presented in the song. Using the post it note, ask the students to record what they believe to be the most important advice given in the song. Now have the students get into groups with people who wrote down the same thing. Once in the groups, they should discuss why they consider their specific piece of advice to be the most important. Groups should prepare a 1 minute speech clearly explaining their rationale. Groups should also designate 1 speaker to present their argument to the class.

3). Each group's speaker should present their case to the class. Students should be given the opportunity to discuss the rationale behind other groups' advice. Teacher may also wish to add a mathematical component to lesson by having the students create a bar or line graph depicting the different advice and how many students chose each one.

4). Still in groups, students should create a chart and/or diagram comparing and contrasting the "Class of `99" and the "Class of `09". Students should use personal knowledge from their own lives and the lyrics from the song to help complete the chart. After several minutes, the groups should share their answers with the class. A student should record answers on a Compare/Contrast Chart on the board.

Assessment

Closure: Answer the following question on an index card. In 10 years, do you think graduating students will be different from you today? Why or why not?

When finished, switch cards with a neighbor, write a response, and return back to neighbor.

Extending the Lesson

The Basics Time Required 1 class period Subject Areas High School Composition Class Contemporary America, 1968-present Common Core Standards Addressed: Writing Standards for English Language Arts 6-12 Author Ashley R. Symons

Resources Lyrics "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" available at

Answer the following questions about the "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)"

1. What types of instruments are heard? Are they used alone or are they used for accompaniment?

4. Who were the song's "consumers" and "listeners"?

2. What musical changes occur during the song? Where and why do they take place?

5. What is the purpose of the song? Entertain, encourage, persuade, etc

3. Describe the voice(s) that you hear. What is purpose of "singing" the song in that fashion?

7. What is the artist's message? Is there more than one message?

8. List the advice that the "singer" provides? Why does he provide them?

9. Compare this song to a similar song. Note similarities and differences.

6. What is the main theme of this song?

10. Does this song inspire change? Why or why not?

11. Now that you have heard this song, will you live your life differently? Why or why not?

12. Imagine you are the artist. What is one piece of advice that you want to give the audience? Why?

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