Create Valentines Songs with Catchy Limericks
Write and Illustrate Romantic Songs & Turn Them into Animated eCards
Feb 11, 2009
This year, why not try to lead students away from old fashioned "I Love You," songs and try for something catchier! Encourage the students to think up funny lines and to come up with gimmicky humour.
In the guidelines offered by Poetry America for writing limerick verse, they say that a limerick consists of five lines, which are usually humorous. The writing style is highly structured and because of this scaffolding, the music that could be described as a ditty is fairly easy to write.
Teachers who would like to write Valentine’s Day songs with their classes will find How to Structure Lyric Writing Classes and How to Write a Song informative and helpful. Perhaps these articles are a bit too formal. Some teachers may only want to write quick catchy tunes to add to cards for a fun Valentines gift. If so, try this short exercise as group work with the class.
Valentines Day Song Lesson Structure
Divide the class into groups of three. Each group could designate someone to take responsibility for polishing the lyrics. Another student could be the one to develop the melody and the other student can elect to illustrate the lines of the three verse song. It will be easier for the students to think up funny limerick verse quickly if they brainstorm the themes as a group first.
Structured Song Writing
The structure of a limerick follows this format
- last word of lines one, two, and five rhyme
- and the last word of lines three and four rhyme
- last word of one, two and five do not rhyme with the last words of lines three and four
Here is a simple example of a limerick for valentines
How about you be my valentine?
I’ll be yours and you’ll be mine
We’ll be in love
Under the stars above
Happy in each others arms entwined
The structure of the line length is long, long, short, short - finishing with another long line.
Adding Rhythm to Limericks
Encourage the students to create the rhythm by tapping on the table, clicking their fingers, or simple percussion techniques. If there are no instruments available they can simply sing the ditty, while one of them records the song. In a simple software package such as Movie Maker or Power Point upload the illustrations for the ditty. Have the students pace out the song to the illustrations so that a very short animated movie clip has been created.
Students can personalise the card by creating their own individual message as they edit and finalise their own copy of the group work. They can upload the video to You Tube or another online sharing device and send the card to their valentine as an email card.
Class Sharing Session
If your school does not have sufficient digital equipment for the animated aspects of the presentation of the work, students could still enjoy presenting their work by
- arranging a display of their cards so that others can see their work
- singing their song while holding up the illustrations
- projecting their cards on the wall for a digital session
- setting up a display of their cards in the foyer or library
- asking another class to come and share their work
Writing Valentines cards can be a fun activity as the students get ready for the friendship of the day. At the same time they can be boosting their literacy and honing digital skills. Romantic "Valentines" or their friends will be happy with the thoughtfulness of their friendship offering.
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