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TEACHER MATERIALS
Unit 5
The Melody
Activity 1 - Discussion
The Hook and the Worm
What makes some songs catchy?

STUDENT/PLAYER GUIDE

What makes some songs catchy? A memorable hook - sometimes called an "earworm" - is a melody or part of a song that sticks in your head for hours and days.

Step 1: Think about a song, a melody, a lyric, or a beat that plays in a loop in your mind. Focus on the catchy part. What makes the hook work so well? Can you guess why artists try to put earworms into their songs?

Step 2: Share your example with your group: you might sing it, or play them a short sample. See if they can guess the tune after just a few notes. Can they start singing the hook to, too? Can they guess the song name and artist? 

Step 3: Share some KSHH feedback with a bandmate about their story.

TEACHER/PRODUCER GUIDE

  • The goal of this exercise is to think about what makes music hooks so catchy. This activity provides students with an opportunity to be creative communicators and attentive listeners.
  • Set a timer for 3-5 minutes to allow students time to think about a song with an earworm.
  • Invite a few students to share their earworm choices with the group. Encourage them to sing clues, or to play an audio sample. Invite at least one other player to respond with KSHH feedback. Repeat as time allows.
  • Invite everyone to write a short paragraph about their earworm and make them accessible to the group. Consider a Google doc or perhaps a discussion thread in your LMS.

RUBRIC

Exemplary (5)

  1. Identifies a hook (e.g. references the song)
  2. Describe the hook
  3. Explains why they chose the hook
  4. Articulates why the hook is successful
  5. Shares KSSH feedback with another student

Proficient (4): 4 of 5 complete

Progressing (3): 3 of 5 complete

Emerging (2): At least 1 complete

Beginning (1): 0 complete

TEACHER RESOURCES

Video: Making Catchy Hooks In Your Songs, by Reason Studios, YouTube.com, February 2017.

Article: Hook (music), Wikipedia, accessed September 17, 2020.

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