1. Grade 8 Media Literacy

2.  http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=SDTZ7 iX4vTQ&ob=av2n http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=SDTZ7 iX4vTQ&ob=av2n

3.  Written from the perspective of a troubled and delusional youth with homicidal thoughts.  The lines in the chorus warn potential victims to "outrun my gun" and that they "better run, better run, faster than my bullet".  The song's title refers to shoes that the narrator's peers wear as a status symbol.  Foster was bullied in high school, while bassist Fink has a cousin who survived the Columbine High School massacre in 1999.

4.  Go to YouTube and find a music video for the song of your choice!  Find a clean edit version (any swearing or inappropriate videos will result in a zero!).  No duplicates, once you decide on a song you will let me know to approve it. (first come, first serve!)  Find the lyrics of the song and either copy them out or print them out. (again, no cursing)  Listen to your song along with the lyrics and answer the following questions.

5.  What is your initial interpretation of the “meaning” behind this song?  Research further to find the artist’s real inspiration or hidden meaning to the song.  Analyze three lyrics from the song that stood out to you and define/discuss it further.  Develop one question to ask yourself about the lyrics and answer them to further investigate your opinions about the topic presented in the song.  Describe one text-to-text connection, one text-to-self connection, and one text-to-world connection you made regarding your song.  Incorporate all of these elements as you develop a short 2-3 minute presentation on your song and lyrics.

6.  http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=jYa1eI1 hpDE&ob=av2n http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=jYa1eI1 hpDE&ob=av2n

7.  I thought it was about bullying.  It is really about a critic who always gave her bad review at the beginning of her career.  “You, with your words like knives and swords and weapons that you used against me”  What message from the song writer’s text can I use my own life or share with someone else that has experienced bullying?  Text-to-world connection: “Pink Shirt Day” to bring an anti-bullying message to schools.