Super Bowl LIX Halftime Performance

Writing Workshop

Workshop Title: This is America

Step 1

Tell your students, “Watch the following video. Then simply talk about the performance when it’s over. What elements stood out? Why? And how does it provide commentary on the current state of American affairs?” Watch the video, then discuss.

Step 2

Say, “What’s your take on the current state of American affairs? Jot down everything you can think of. Feel free to write as unstructured as you’d like.” Give your students a few minutes to brainstorm.

Step 3

Ask your students to compose a poem similar in sentiment to Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime performance in which they share their feelings on the current state of affairs in America.

Step 4

When the students are done, have them share their responses with one another.

The full presentation may be found HERE.

Analytical Lesson

Area of Focus: Various

Step 1

This lesson allows students to analyze various concepts and skills, so it is recommended that you have covered several of the “standalone” lessons before assigning this one.

Step 2

Watch the following video to give your students a bit of context to the work. The video covers the history of Gil Scott-Heron’s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” and its connection to Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime performance.

Step 3

Now share Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance with your students. As they are watching, ask them to pay particular attention to Lamar’s lyrics and the theatrical elements of the performance; more specifically, ask them to pay attention to the overlaps in theme, concept, or message between the performance and Gil Scott-Heron’s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.”

Step 4

Ask your students to open the following document and go over the instructions with them. In this assignment, your students will match elements of the three works – Scott-Heron’s piece, Lamar’s lyrics, and the theatrical elements of the performance – and discuss how they intersect with one another to create social commentary. When you’ve gone over the directions, give your students time to work.

Step 5

When your students are done, have them share their work with one another. If time permits, have them share their documents with you so they can share their analysis on the screen with the rest of their peers.