Sonny's Blues Lesson Plan

Am I Blue

Kind of Activity:

Creative Writing

Objective:

Students will respond to music as the narrator does in the story

Structure:

The narrator has a powerful response to the blues that Sonny and his band play. Some may have noted the particular song in which Creole lets Sonny play freely, "Am I Blue." Ask students to freewrite their own responses to hearing this music.

Play at least two covers of the song, first one instrumental, then perhaps one with lyrics. Instruct students to try not to lift their pen from the paper or their fingers from the keyboard, just to write down, as much as they can, what the music makes them feel and think of. Give them about ten more minutes...