Daily Song and Dance: Altered 45 Project

An altered record is artwork that is made using an actual record.  Some people change the shape of the record or cut out parts of it. Others paint directly on old records or use them as a surface for collage. Several examples are included in this post.

Begin this project by selecting a song mentioned in Jacqueline Woodson's book, Brown Girl Dreaming.  Here's a list. Please ask me know if I missed one that you would like to do.

• Sam Cooke: Twistin' the Night Away (33)
• America the Beautiful (162)
• The Star Spangled Banner (162)
• Burl Ives: Froggie Went a'Courtin (202)
• Sly and the Family Stone: A Family Affair (221)
• Tingalo, Come Little Donkey (232)
• Jackson Five:ABC (262)
• Five Stairsteps: Ooh, Child (Things are Gonna Get Easier) (262)
• The Hollies: He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (262)
• John Denver: Rocky Mountain High (262)
• The Carpenters: We've Only Just Begun (262)
• Rufus Thomas: Funky Chicken (262)
• The O'Jays: Love Train (267)
• The Big Blue Marble Theme
• Ray Stevens: Everyone is Beautiful (262)
• She'll be Coming Round the Mountain (61)
• We Shall Overcome (Paret IV, Title Page)

Listen to the song a couple of times before you continue.  You may want to find a video that plays the lyrics as you listen.  If you can't find one see if you can find the lyrics somewhere else. Search for the song title and the word "lyrics."

Next, use black paper and an old '45 to create a "record."  Trace the record on the black paper, then cut it out.  Don't forget the hole in the middle.

Create an "altered record" to illustrate the song's importance to the book.

Include:

• The songs title
• A key lyric from the song
• Images that illustrate how the song connects to the theme of book--What makes us who we are?
• Other artwork

Find the poem in Brown Girl Dreaming that mentions the song you chose.  Re-read it a couple of times to help you figure out why Jacqueline Woodson chose to use that song and how the song relates to the themes of the book.

You may use any material you like to create your altered record.  All classroom materials are available to you.  You can also use materials that you bring in from home if you wish.

For the back, or the "B Side" select a song that has personal meaning to you.  Try to choose a song that relates to the theme in a more personal way.  What does this song have to do with the person you are becoming?

 One the "B Side" repeat the same steps you followed for the "A Side": title, lyric, images.

When you are finished with your artwork, write an artist's statement on a separate piece of paper. You may type this.  In your artist statement explain why you chose the lyrics you selected and the images you used.  Be sure to connect these to Brown Girl Dreaming and to your own life.

Your artist statement should have two paragraphs, one for the "A Side" and one for the "B Side".  It should be between 200 and 250 words long. About one page, typed.

Grading:

You project will be graded on these criteria:

• How well you met all of the requirements listed above.
• How well written your artist statement is.
• How well you explain the connection between the songs and the themes.
• How visually appealing your altered record project is.

This project is due on Wednesday, May 25.

It is a 70% project.