EducationAL Songs
I notice that a few people say that they have played a Weird Al song to their teacher or their class because it had some educational value to it. What songs has Al written that are not only funny or wacky but can be educational as well?
For example: Pancreas.
Another one is Taco Grande because it is good for learning some Spanish and about some of the food in Mexican culture.
EducationAL Songs
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Danicrzy
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EducationAL Songs
Last edited by Danicrzy on Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Fan Since Discovery in 2003
I was born to experience Weird Al.
I was born to experience Weird Al.
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weirdojace
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weird_el
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I don't know about Germs, but Livin' With a Hernia, definitely.
A good question to ask yourself is "What did I learn from this song?"
You may not be familiar with the common types
Of hernias that you could get
So just settle down, let me clue you in
There's incomplete
Epigastric
Bladder
Strangulated
Lumbar hernia
Richter's hernia
Obstructed
Inguinal and Direct
A good question to ask yourself is "What did I learn from this song?"
This means something. This is important.
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anthontherun
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I remember playing "Patterns" in my math class when I was younger.
Unfortunately, it was my 10th grade Algebra II class. My teacher was not amused.
For those of you playing at home, that was a joke.
Unfortunately, it was my 10th grade Algebra II class. My teacher was not amused.
For those of you playing at home, that was a joke.
I'm ranking every Beatles song on my new pop culture blog. Check it out!
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Dumb N00b
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My 9th-grade Alg2Trig teacher is cool and likes Al enough that that is actually feasible for me. However, as stated above, I have been incorporating the man into so many of my other classes (he's going to be in my history essay test, no kidding) that perhaps that one can wait. 
Dave? Hello Dave? Is Dave there? There's a block in your t'ilet.
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Well, Well, Well
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Bruce the Duck
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When I was in high school Spanish class, we had to prepare a skit that took place in a restaurant as an assignment. I completely stole Cheech Marin's solo from "Taco Grande" for the assignment.
Also, as a teacher, I use a couple Al songs as basis for writing lessons. I've mentioned this before in other threads.
I use Albuquerque to teach my students about staying on topic when writing a narrative. Kids tend to go off on unrelated tangents in their writing, and this song is a good tool to show them how messed up your story can get if you don't stick to your topic. Basically, I tell them to pay attention to the main idea of the story as the song plays. Then, near the very end (right before Al reveals the "whole point" he's trying to make) I ask them to tell me what the main idea of the song is. Obviously, they have no clue. And when I play the ending, they can see how the story really has nothing to do with the supposed "whole point." Then, when they're writing, I can refer to the song, such as warning them that their stories are straying from the main plot and that they should be wary of turning it into "Albuquerque."
The other song I use is "(This Song's Just) Six Words Long." I use it to teach them to use a variety of words in their writing. Kids have a limited vocabulary of words that they are "comfortable" using. They know more complex words, but they don't use them because their confidence as writers is not developed. I actually play them the George Harrison version first and ask them what they notice about the lyrics of the song. Most kids have no trouble identifying the repetition. Then, I play them Al's version and they get to hear Al making fun of that repetition in the original. Then, we brainstorm other words that can be used in place of several commonly overused words, such as "said," "like," "good," "nice," etc.
Also, "Bob" is an excellent song for teaching palindromes. And despite Dave's protests, it actually works a lot better WITH the video, because the kids can see the palindromes and how they work more clearly.
I haven't found any really strong academic uses for any of the other songs though. CBNC would be a good lesson on similies if it weren't for the naughty bits.
Also, as a teacher, I use a couple Al songs as basis for writing lessons. I've mentioned this before in other threads.
I use Albuquerque to teach my students about staying on topic when writing a narrative. Kids tend to go off on unrelated tangents in their writing, and this song is a good tool to show them how messed up your story can get if you don't stick to your topic. Basically, I tell them to pay attention to the main idea of the story as the song plays. Then, near the very end (right before Al reveals the "whole point" he's trying to make) I ask them to tell me what the main idea of the song is. Obviously, they have no clue. And when I play the ending, they can see how the story really has nothing to do with the supposed "whole point." Then, when they're writing, I can refer to the song, such as warning them that their stories are straying from the main plot and that they should be wary of turning it into "Albuquerque."
The other song I use is "(This Song's Just) Six Words Long." I use it to teach them to use a variety of words in their writing. Kids have a limited vocabulary of words that they are "comfortable" using. They know more complex words, but they don't use them because their confidence as writers is not developed. I actually play them the George Harrison version first and ask them what they notice about the lyrics of the song. Most kids have no trouble identifying the repetition. Then, I play them Al's version and they get to hear Al making fun of that repetition in the original. Then, we brainstorm other words that can be used in place of several commonly overused words, such as "said," "like," "good," "nice," etc.
Also, "Bob" is an excellent song for teaching palindromes. And despite Dave's protests, it actually works a lot better WITH the video, because the kids can see the palindromes and how they work more clearly.
I haven't found any really strong academic uses for any of the other songs though. CBNC would be a good lesson on similies if it weren't for the naughty bits.
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this_is_the_life
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