Teaching sequence

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

10 minutes

Tune In: Exploring the role of music

30 minutes

Find Out: Music of the Commonwealth Games

15 minutes

Take Action: Music that moves you

5 minutes

Reflection

Learning intentions

Students will:

explore the theme songs of the Commonwealth Games.

Success criteria

Students can:

discuss how music can change the way we feel
explain how music can communicate messages and ideas.

Tune In: Exploring the role of music

Step 1

Firstly, ask students to consider why people play music. If they are unsure, you may suggest enjoyment, self-expression and identity, relaxation, entertainment, communication or celebration. Encourage students to brainstorm different places and situations where music might be played (for example, festivals, parties, and ceremonies).

Secondly, ask students to think about situations when specific music might be played in a more structured/formal manner, such as a national anthem or theme song (for example, at a sporting event, school assembly or religious gathering).

Step 2

Explain that for this lesson, students will focus on music played at a global sporting event called the Commonwealth Games – specifically, the theme songs of the Commonwealth Games and the countries that participate.

It is important to note the difference between national anthems and theme songs – national anthems are an important part of the Commonwealth Games and are used at every event. However, a Commonwealth Games theme song is not always a part of the Games and has become a more recent addition (if it's included – a theme song is only sometimes created for the Games).

Find Out: Music of the Commonwealth Games

Step 1

Briefly explain the overall purpose of the Commonwealth Games using the What are the Commonwealth Games? Visual Explainer. Highlight that if a Commonwealth Games host creates a theme song, it becomes an important part of the event. Alongside the sports competitions, people from different countries share their culture. This includes music, which is performed and showcased during the opening and closing ceremonies of the games. Each country has its own instruments and language, which are used in the theme song. This kind of cultural sharing helps us learn about the different countries involved and helps to foster understanding and friendship among nations.

Step 2

Provide the class with the Lyrics of Commonwealth Games Theme Songs and play the official theme songs of the Commonwealth Games hosted in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (2023), England (2022) and India (2010). Encourage students to follow the lyrics while listening to the music.

‘Stay Ready’ Trinbago, 2023 (3:46 minutes)(youtube.com/watch?v=lrio72TDbwE)
‘Champion’, England, 2022 (3:41 minutes)(youtube.com/watch?v=ZzVYCK6cJJA)
‘Jiyo Utho Badho Jeeto’, 2010 (4:56 minutes) =(youtube.com/watch?v=XSuiXfYLNJ4)

Step 3

Invite students to select 2 of the Commonwealth Games theme songs they’d like to compare, then complete the task titled ‘Comparing Theme Songs’ on the Student Worksheet. Decide whether students do this in pairs or independently. For students needing additional support, read the instructions aloud and model how to fill in a Venn diagram.

Instructions on the Student Worksheet: Write down the song titles and country they originated from, then use the Venn diagram to list their similarities and differences. Consider the following elements: language, key messages, instruments, melody (main tune), rhythm (beat) and tempo (speed).

Step 4

Once students have completed their comparison, allow 5-10 minutes to share their answers either as a whole class or in small groups. Encourage students to openly share their ideas and assure them that it’s okay if their answers are different to others – one of the best things about music is that it can be interpreted in multiple different ways. You may want to write students’ responses on the whiteboard and identify key themes or ideas that are expressed in the 3 songs.

Take Action: Music that moves you

Step 1

The final task on the Student Worksheet invites students to consider how music has the power to influence how we feel, act and understand the world around us. Using the table, students can record their thoughts as dot points. This should only take 5-10 minutes.

Feel How has it affected your mood?	Act How has it inspired any future actions?	Understand How has it assisted you to understand others and the world around you?

Step 2

Invite students to share their ideas with the class. If they have struggled to think of how the music could inspire future action, provide some examples such as wanting to learn more about the instruments used, wanting to learn how to play a particular/featured instrument, exploring similar music and other artists, researching music from a region, or planning a visit to the country music originated from, etc.

Extension opportunity: If students are inspired by the music they’ve heard and want to get creative, invite them to create a theme song for the class, school or the Commonwealth Games hosted in Australia. Prompt them to consider attributes explored in today’s lesson, such as lyrics, instruments and style of music.

Reflection

To wrap up the lesson, ask students to reflect on the following questions, inviting them to share their answers in pairs or small groups.

How does the culture we live in impact the type of music we create and listen to?
What do you think listening to music from other cultures can do for us?

Theme Songs to Inspire

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Summary

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