8th Grade MMT: Music & Media Technology

revised 8/5/2015
Teacher: Jake Richards
Room: 1510
E-mail: jrichards@usd116.org Phone: 217-384-3685 x1510
Blog: http://umsmmt2015.weebly.com
Students in MMT (Music & Media Technology) will learn to communicate effectively through music,
videos, photographs, and websites. They will consider what story or message they are trying to
communicate, and learn how these digital mediums can best share those messages. They will learn to be
critical editors who think critically about the decisions they make when designing a product. They will
share their work on a website they create themselves, using movies, music, and photographs that they
make and edit.
Primary Standards Met:
Illinois State Learning Goals for the Arts:
25.A.3c Music: Identify and describe changes in elements and expressive qualities (e.g., crescendo, ritardando,
fermata, meter, sforzando).
25.B.3 Compare and contrast the elements and principles in two or more art works that share similar themes.
26.A.3c Music: Describe the processes involved in composing, conducting and performing.
26.B.3d Visual Arts: Demonstrate knowledge and skills to create 2- and 3-dimensional works and time arts (e.g.,
film, animation, video) that are realistic, abstract, functional and decorative.
27.A.3a Identify and describe careers and jobs in and among the arts and how they contribute to the world of work.
27.B.3 Know and describe how artists and their works shape culture and increase understanding of societies, past
and present.
NETS (National Education Technology Standards) for Students 2008:
1. Creativity and Innovation: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and
develop innovative products and processes using technology
2. Communication and Collaboration: Students use digital media and environments to communicate
and work collaboratively to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. 3. Research and
Information Fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use
information.
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making: students use critical thinking skills to
plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using
appropriate digital tools and resources.
5. Digital Citizenship: Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology
and practice legal and ethical behavior.
6. Technology Operations and Concepts: students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology



concepts, systems, and operations.

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Mini-Unit 1: Netiquette and Computer Basics

Intended length: 2 weeks (weeks 1-2 of 18)
Students will become familiar with the Macintosh computers and how to perform basic functions
on the machine. They will start using our class website daily as they come into class. They will
set-up their own blogs, and learn computer lab rules. They will also learn basic computer
vocabulary and systems (how does the lab work, how does our server work) and learn how to
save files on the school server. Finally, they will consider, observe, and practice constructive
commenting on the web.
Unit 2: Working with Music we Know
Intended length: 3 weeks (weeks 3-5 of 18)
Students will become acquainted with the GarageBand software. They will learn how to create a
song in GarageBand using Apple loops that has a beat, bassline, and melody. Students will learn
how DJs use beats per minute (BPM) to successfully choose a music list. They will measure
BPM on their own music and create a song mix following the same guidelines as club DJS.
Students will learn what story music is, and how both classical and pop composers use stories to
influence their writing. Students will use GarageBand to compose their own music to accompany
a story.
Unit 3: Playing and Recording Our Own Music
Intended length: 2 weeks (weeks 6-7 of 18)
Students will learn the basics of playing piano: note names, whole steps, half steps, and three
easy scales. They will use these skills to practice ear-training by copying back simple songs,
and by playing chords along with an accompaniment. They will write a short song completely
using their piano keyboards. Students will learn what beat-box poetry is, practice poetry reading
and finally record their own example with a poem and musical background created themselves.
Unit 4: Mood, Music, and Image
Intended length: 4 weeks (weeks 8-10 of 18)
Students will complete a self-guided module focusing on how music portrays different moods,
and how those moods can affect the media that the music accompanies. Film music will be the
primary example for learning, as it is a familiar medium. Students will work in pairs to create a
Color My World podcast in which they combine self-taken images, an original piece of music,
and a mood that tie the two together.
Unit 5: Developing Movie Ideas
Intended length: 2 weeks (weeks 11-12 of 18)
Students brainstorm movie ideas using a visual thinking software tool. Each student comes up
with three ideas, and then students work in groups to choose three of these movies. They develop
a detailed plan for each that includes time lines, roles and responsibilities, and production needs.
Students peer review each others plans. Students learn what a storyboard is, and review their
skills in shot composition to create a movie trailer using a provided storyboard. As a class, we
create a storyboard for a commercial
Unit 6: Shoot it! The Production Process Intended length: 6 weeks (weeks 13-18 of 18)
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As a class, we walk-through the production process to create the commercial we planned in the
last unit. We practice various production roles as we shoot our commercial. We spend a week
fine-tuning some visual basics: lighting and audio. We play for a few days with green screen
effect. Finally, students combine all of their skills from the semester to create their own music
video. They write their own song about a school-related subject, record their song in
GarageBand, plan the production of a music video, and then produce that video.
CLASS WORK:
Technology is unique because all work is done during class time. There will be no homework in
this class. Students who miss class or fall behind may need to arrange to come use their laptop
during lunch, before or after school.
CLASS ATTENDANCE:
Students are expected to attend all classes. If a student is absent it is the students responsibility
catch up any work missed during the absence. For extended absences, the student will be given
alternative
work time to make up which may include assignments to be completed at home.
ASSESSMENT:
The final course grade will be determined as follows:
Participation - 15%
Following Classroom Rules Work Ethic
Formative - 15%
Daily Assignments Discussion Board
Summative 70%
Website Projects
STUDENTS MUST:
Be Respectful
- Respect Computer Lab Equipment
- Refrain from malicious use of technology
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- Respect Each Other: Do not touch or hurt your classmates or their property
- Always use headphones when listening to audio
- Only open or edit your own work
Be Responsible
- End of Period: Log out, Push in Chair
- Conserve Resources: only print when necessary and with permission
- Obey Copyright rules
- Only access streaming video or audio that is relevant to your class work and always
with teacher permission
Be Safe
- No Cyberbullying: Use kind words and constructive language
- Secure Your Privacy: Dont share your log-ins or passwords

- Secure Your Safety: Dont post your last name or personal photos online
CONSEQUENCES:
Students who do not follow computer expectations will face a consequence appropriate to
their misdemeanor. They may lose their Internet or laptop privileges for a set period of
time. Students who seriously abuse equipment, the Internet, or who break the districts
Acceptable Use Policy for computers may be removed from this course and have limited
or no access to district technology in other courses.

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