Reading any of these books? Now you have an excuse to listen to Taylor Swift with your class!
Who’s excited to see Taylor Swift’s movie that comes out this Friday??
As I was listening to her set list to prepare myself, books with similar themes kept coming to mind.
It would be so fun to play one of her songs and then let the students write to compare and contrast it with their book. This would be perfect for Writing Into the Day or to frame a discussion of a section students read independently.
Are you ready for it?
Let’s jam.
Listen to this song after reading chapter 3. How does this song capture Winnie’s thoughts? Return to this after finishing the book. Did Winnie find her place in the world? Was it what she hoped for?
If you haven’t read Where the Watermelons Grow yet, run out and grab a copy. It’s a beautifully written story about a twelve year old girl whose mom struggles with her mental health, specifically schizophrenia. This song would create juxtaposition with Della’s reality in the book that students could explore through writing. How do our parents’ actions, choices, and struggles affect us? Is that fair?
Word of caution: be sensitive to the students in your room that might be triggered by such a discussion.
A song from Harry to the Dursleys. Why were they so mean? Do we have prejudice or bias in our minds that make us think it’s ok to mistreat others? Explain Taylor’s symbolism in the line “Someday I’ll be living in a big old city” and what it could mean for Harry.
Have you read Fable yet?? It’s in my top 10 YA books. The entire series is so good. I wouldn’t necessarily teach it as an anchor text but it would be in my classroom library. Besides nautical themes, this song captures the dynamic between Fable and West.
If Brian had known this song, he would have hummed it on loop. I must admit, this comparison is my favorite one. Take it beyond the obvious by having students analyze the symbolism of the woods in each text.
President Snow’s sentiments toward Katniss. He wished Katniss hadn’t come in and messed up the good things he had going, and now he’s got to retaliate. Katniss “said sorry just for show… If you live like that, you live with ghosts.” Plus, his blood issue. It’s perfect.
Taylor Swift refers to showing off her scarlet letter in this song. This would be a great opportunity for students to write a quick comparison between Puritan feminism and modern feminism as detailed in the song. How have cultural norms influenced the perception and treatment of Hester and Taylor? Was Hester able to build herself a castle out of all the bricks they threw at her? Has our perception of the male role changed?
If Bertha could be summarized in a song, this would be it. She’s “the actress starring in your bad dreams.” She was isolated by Rochester and also felt justified in her revenge schemes. Students could explore elements of ownership and responsibility in both.
Snowball’s anthem. Snowball and Napoleon start as friends but then Napoleon starts to get shady… Students can create three column notes with similarities between both texts in the middle supported by evidence on either side from Swift and Orwell.
Poseidon’s song to his son, Percy. Play this after reading chapter 8. Did the author leave clues about Percy that could point to Poseidon being his father? Have students discuss and list them. This song is certainly what Percy thinks his father would say. Predict reasons that Poseidon might not have made contact with Percy yet. Why would hate or love be better than indifference?
Is anyone reading Twilight anymore or did the movie officially ruin it? Play this song after any point that Bella is upset with Edward and students can write about the tone in both and the authors’ word choice that creates it.
Students can analyze the mentor archetype in both texts. How does the refrain “What died didn’t stay dead” apply to The Giver as well? Plus, Taylor Swift made a cameo in the movie version of The Giver. It had to make the list.
Can’t you imagine Winston penning these words in his secret diary? Students can identify a common theme in both texts and support each with evidence.
Have you used a Taylor Swift song in your classroom? Are there any other good match-ups you can think of? Let me know in the comments below!
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