Stay Creative: A Stray Kids Inspired Adventure!

This lesson encourages students to explore their creativity through the lens of the K-pop group Stray Kids. Instead of memorizing facts, the student will analyze their work and use it as inspiration for their own creative project, developing skills in critical thinking, artistic expression, and media literacy.

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Stay Creative: A Stray Kids Inspired Adventure!

Materials Needed:

  • Computer or tablet with internet access
  • Headphones (optional, for listening to music)
  • Paper, pens, pencils, colored markers/pencils
  • Optional: Digital art software, craft supplies (clay, fabric scraps, etc.), a camera/phone for recording
  • Access to Stray Kids music videos and lyric translations (e.g., on YouTube, Genius.com)

Lesson Overview:

Get ready to dive into the world of Stray Kids and unleash your own creative powers! Today, we're not just listening to music; we're exploring how Stray Kids create their art and how you can too. This is all about having fun, being creative, and expressing yourself!

Part 1: The Message in the Music (Approx. 30 minutes)

Stray Kids are known for writing their own songs about topics that matter to them and their fans (STAYs!). Let's explore that!

  1. Choose a Song: Pick a Stray Kids song you like or one you're curious about. Some ideas: "God's Menu," "Thunderous," "Maniac," "Hellevator," "Levanter," or any of your favorites!
  2. Listen & Read: Listen to the song while reading the translated lyrics (you can find these online, for example, on Genius.com or YouTube lyric videos).
  3. Detective Time: Think about these questions:
    • What do you think the song is about? What is the main message or story?
    • Are there any words or phrases that stand out to you? Why?
    • How does the music (the beat, the melody, the rappers' flow, the singers' voices) make you feel? Does it match the lyrics?
    • Can you identify any themes? (e.g., overcoming challenges, identity, dreams, friendship)
  4. Discuss/Jot Down: Talk about your thoughts or write them down. What makes this song special to you or to their fans?

Part 2: The Creative Team Behind the Magic (Approx. 20 minutes)

Stray Kids isn't just about the members you see on stage. There's a lot that goes into their music, videos, and performances!

  1. Who Does What?: We know 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, Han) writes and produces many of their songs. What other roles are important in creating a Stray Kids comeback? Think about:
    • Lyricists (who writes the words?)
    • Composers/Producers (who makes the music?)
    • Choreographers (who creates the dances?)
    • Stylists (who designs the outfits?)
    • Music Video Directors & Editors (who makes the cool videos?)
    • Graphic Designers (album art, logos)
  2. Your Favorite Part: Which of these creative roles do you find most interesting? Why? Could you see yourself doing something like that?

Part 3: Your "SKZ-Inspired" Creation! (Approx. 60-90 minutes - The Main Event!)

Now it's your turn to be the creator! Inspired by Stray Kids, their music, their messages, or their style, create something original. Choose one project from the ideas below, or come up with your own (discuss it first!):

  • Fan Artist: Create a piece of art (drawing, painting, digital art, sculpture) inspired by a Stray Kids song, music video, member, or concept. Think about colors, symbols, and emotions.
  • Mini-Lyricist/Songwriter: Write a short verse and chorus for a new song, inspired by a theme Stray Kids often explores, or as a "response" to one of their songs. You don't have to make music, just write the words! Or, create parody lyrics for a section of a Stray Kids song, making it about a funny or different topic.
  • Choreo Teaser: Invent a short (8-16 counts) dance sequence to a part of your favorite Stray Kids song. It doesn't have to be perfect, just expressive! You can film it if you want.
  • Concept Designer: Imagine Stray Kids is having a new comeback. Design a concept! What would it be called? What would the main theme be? What kind of outfits would they wear? What would the album cover look like? Sketch out your ideas or describe them in detail.
  • Story Writer: Write a short story (1-2 pages) inspired by the storyline or message of a Stray Kids song or music video.
  • Music Video Storyboarder: Pick a Stray Kids song (or your new lyrics!) and create a simple storyboard (a series of drawings with captions) for a few scenes of a music video.

Remember: The goal is to be creative and have fun, not to make something perfect. Think about what message or feeling YOU want to convey, just like Stray Kids does!

Part 4: Showcase & Reflect (Approx. 15-20 minutes)

  1. Show Your Work: Share your creation! Explain what you made and why. What part of Stray Kids inspired you?
  2. Creator's Thoughts: Reflect on your process:
    • What did you enjoy most about creating your piece?
    • What was challenging? How did you overcome it?
    • How did exploring Stray Kids' work help you with your own creation?
    • What's one thing you learned about creativity or expressing yourself today?

Extension Ideas (Optional - If you want more SKZ fun!):

  • Research one of the non-performance creative roles (e.g., music video director, stylist for K-pop groups) and present 3 interesting facts you learned.
  • Compare and contrast two Stray Kids music videos from different eras. How has their style or message evolved?
  • Learn a small part of an actual Stray Kids choreography.
  • Design your own "SKZOO" character or a new lightstick design.

Great job today, Stay Creative!