"We Are The World" Michael Jackson

 As a first year art teacher, this was my first attempt at a group project.  I was very hesitant at first but very pleasantly surprised by the way my 6th graders worked together.  For the school's black history month concert,  I chose Michael Jackson as a focus in honor of his passing away.  My sixth graders were each given a different verse to Michael Jackson's "We are the World"  They were to make a sketch that really went along with the words or feeling of their verse.  Students got into groups with classmates who had the same verse as them, making the groups random.  THe students were instructed to look at each group members sketches and discuss which one they thought would work the best.  The students were then to make a final sketch together as a group.  THey could combine aspects from each of the four sketches or come up with a new one together as a group.



Now for the Fun Part.. Musical Chairs!  That's right!  My sixth grade students played musical chairs in art class!  it was part of learning through experimentation.   What you need to know is that I am at a school new to art so the students haven't had much experience with the different art supplies no matter what grade they are in So I try to introduce them to as many different art techniques and media as possible.  So for this project I wanted the students to use a variety of media and back to the musical chairs!  Students were in their groups and given a paper that was folded to form 6 boxes.  Students picked a shape and drew it in each box.  Different supplies were set up at each table (oil pastel, Chalk Pastel, Modge podge & tissue, tempera paint, watercolor paint, charcoal) I played Michael Jackson's cd (how appropriate!) and when the music stopped they had to move on to the next table.  THis went on until all of the students had gone to each table.

Next, the students sketched their drawing onto large paper and began to color it with the different materials.  After experimenting with the different supplies the students had a handle on what they were capable of.  

There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all

We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We all are a part of God's great big family
And the truth, you know,
Love is all we need

We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand

We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me 

When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Well...well...well
Let's realize that a change can only come
When we stand together as one

We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me