The Role of Music in Our Life
THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL
Objectives:
To enrich vocabulary on the topic
To improve students’ reading, listening, writing and speaking skills
To provide students with information about Elvis Presley
To practice using dates and the Past Simple Tense
PROCEDURE
INTRODUCTION
Warming up
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― Plato
“The only truth is music.” ― Jack Kerouac
“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ― Albert Schweitzer
While-reading activities
Elvis Aaron Presley was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. He and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953. Elvis’ musical influences were the pop and country music of the time, the gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel sings he frequently attended, and the black R&B he absorbed on historic Beale Street as a Memphis teenager. In 1954, Elvis began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture. He starred in 33 successful films, made history with his television appearances and specials, and knew great acclaim through his many, often record-breaking, live concert performances on tour and in Las Vegas. Globally, he has sold over one billion records, more than any other artist. His American sales have earned him gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards. Among his many awards and accolades were 14 Grammy nominations (3 wins) from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award which he received at age 36, and his being named One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970 by the United States Jaycees. Without any of the special privileges, his celebrity status might have afforded him, he honorably served his country in the U.S. Army. His talent, good looks, sensuality, charisma, and good humor endeared him to millions, as did the humility and human kindness he demonstrated throughout his life. Known the world over by his first name, he is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture. Elvis died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977.
Look at this list of places, read the story quickly and put them in the correct order.
Mississippi
Memphis
Graceland
Las Vegas
Ask ten questions about the life of Elvis PRESTLEY
Now let’s listen to the song of Elvis PRESTLEY. Listen and complete the song.
Blue Suede Shoes
Well, it's one for the money
Two for the show
Three to get ready
Now go, cat, go
But don't you
Step on my blue suede shoes
Well you can do anything
But stay off of my blue suede shoes
Well, you can knock me down
Step in my face
Slander my name all over the place
Well do anything that you want to do
But uh-uh, honey lay off of them shoes
And don't you step on my blue suede shoes
Well, you can do anything
But stay off of my blue suede shoes.
POST-READING ACTIVITIES
Find all the Past Tenses in the text.
Work in the pairs. Use these questions for the interview. One student is a reporter, another student is Elvis Presley.
HOME WORK
Home some more information about the life of Elvis Presley.
