ABBA-cadabra: The Magic of Contemporary European Music1. Question & Research Task

Castles and cathedrals that have stood for hundreds of years. Authors and philosophers whose words have inspired people all over the world. Royal families that have ruled nations for centuries. These are the images that come to mind when we think of Europe and its rich history.

Not only has Europe contributed great things to the world in terms of politics, literature, and philosophy but it has also been on the cutting edge of musical trends for the past few decades. Groups like ABBA & The Wanted, and solo artists like Kylie Minogue & Ellie Goulding had wild success in Europe before experiencing any fame across seas.

Typically referred to as Europop, this musical movement began in the 1970s and has maintained its hold on the music charts ever since. But which era has been the most influential? You decide!

In this Slam Dunk, you will conduct brief, focused research to respond to the inquiry question:

Click the image to watch ABBA perform during the 1974 Eurovision song competition. As the winners, ABBA was propelled to international success.Image Source: YouTube

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2. Information Sources

“The Sign”, by Swedish group Ace of Base, was the # 1 song of 1994 according to Billboard magazine.

Image Source: Flickr

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1970s/1980s 1990s Today’s Artists/EDM

Mama Mia! (World Book)

Thank You for the Music (SIRS Issues Researcher)

ABBA Sells More Music Than Ever(Forbes)

Boney M (Biography In Context via BCPL)

Eurovision Song Contest (Britannica)

Right Said Fred(Biography In Context via BCPL)

Ace of Base- Good Sign for Arista (ABC News)

Aqua (Biography In Context via BCPL)

Spice Girls (World Book)

Spice Girls (Britannica)

Bjork (World Book)

Electronic Dance Music(World Book)

Avicii, the Punishing Life of a Superstar DJ (SIRS Issues Researcher)

Guardian View on Grime Music (SIRS Issues Researcher)

The Bands Who Know the Score (SIRS Issues Researcher

Clean Bandit (Biography In Context via BCPL)

Tiesto (Biography In Context via BCPL)

This Photo by Unknown Author i s licensed under CC BY-NC

3. Student Activity

Using information you have gathered on the different eras of Europop, you will decide which of the eras discussed is the most influential and had the largest impact.

You may take notes using any style approved by your teacher. Pay close attention to placement on the Billboard charts, record sales, collaborations, awards won, and career longevity.

Once your information is gathered and you have come to a conclusion, you will engage in a philosophical chairs discussion. Be sure to utilize evidence from your research to support your claim.

The Eurovision song contest keeps the Europop scene alive and well!

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

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This Photo by Unknown Author i s licensed under CC BY-SA

4. Assessment Activity

To effectively make your claim about which era of Europop is the most influential, you will take part in a philosophical chairs discussion with your classmates.

Prior to the discussion, complete this debate planner so that you can refer to the evidence you have found that will support your claim.

Refer to the rubric to guarantee you are including each necessary piece!

Europe is known for massive EDM festivals!

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

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5. Enrichment Activities

Europop took on a whole new world when two of the founding members of ABBA, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus worked with playwright Catherine Johnson and producer Judy Craymer to bring Mama Mia! to the Broadway stage in 1999.

Since it’s debut, Mama Mia! has toured in several countries, been translated into various languages, won multiple awards and has even inspired two feature films!

If your favorite song was incorporated into a musical, what would the scene look like? Using Mama Mia! as inspiration, script a scene around your favorite song or, write a synopsis of a musical incorporating your favorite album!Outside of the Mogador Theatre in Paris, France.

Click the image to hear A*Teens cover of “Mama Mia”Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

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6. Teacher Resources

Grade 7 World Music

Time Frame: One 90-minute class period

Differentiation strategies for this lesson: • Have students use learning supports

provided in any BCPS Digital Content from the Apps Portal included in this lesson. Refer to Digital Content Snapshots & Support resources for as needed.

Notes to the teacher:• Collaborate with your school library media

specialist to plan and implement this lesson.• Library Media Specialists may want to review

close reading strategies to help students navigate longer articles.

• Consider using the Schoology Assignment Apps feature to assign Microsoft/Google Docs for students to access, edit, and submit through Schoology.

Learning Standards Alignment

Content Learning Standards

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy

Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.

Anchor Standard 9: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.Anchor Standard 11: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, historical context to deepen understanding.

Reading: 1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

Writing: 7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

AASL Standards Framework for Learners Inquire: Build new knowledge by inquiring, thinking critically, identifying problems, and developing strategies for solving problems.

Think: Learners display curiosity and initiative by:

I.A.2 Recalling prior and background knowledge as context for new meaning.

Create: Learners engage with new knowledge by following a process that includes:

I.B.1 Using evidence to investigate questions. I.B.3 Generating products that illustrate learning.

Share: Learners adapt, communicate, and exchange learning products with others in a cycle that includes:

I.C.1 Interacting with content presented by others.

Grow: Learners participate in an ongoing inquiry-based process by:

I.D.2 Engaging in sustained inquiry.

P21 Framework: 21st Century Student Outcomes3. Information, Media & Technology Skills: Information Literacy: Access information efficiently and effectively; Use information accurately and creatively for the issue or problem at hand.ICT Literacy: Use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate and communicate information.

Last updated: July 2021 Report broken links to BCPS Library Media Programs & Digital Resources 443-809-4035BCPS Slam Dunk Research Model, Copyright 2018, Baltimore County Public Schools, MD, all rights reserved. This lesson may be used for educational, non-profit school use only.

All other uses, transmissions, and duplications are prohibited unless permission is granted expressly. This lesson is based o n Dr. Jamie McKenzie’s Slam Dunk Digital Lesson model.

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