Rock Legends Unleashed

Elvis: The King of Rock and Roll

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Year Level

Year 4

Duration

40 minutes

Class Size

25 students

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Understand the life and musical impact of Elvis Presley as a seminal figure in rock and roll.
• Identify key characteristics of Elvis’s music style and influence.
• Discuss how Elvis shaped the rock genre and popular culture.

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Australian Curriculum Links

Strand: The Arts > Music
Year Level: 3 and 4
Content Description:

• AC9AMU4D01: Develop listening skills and manipulate elements of music when singing and playing instruments.
• AC9AMU4E02: Explore how music expresses cultural meaning, promoting understanding of music’s role in society.

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Success Criteria

• I can describe three key facts about Elvis Presley’s life and musical career.
• I can listen to and recognise some iconic Elvis songs and describe features of his music style.
• I can engage respectfully in a group discussion about how Elvis influenced rock and roll.
• I can answer questions correctly in a quiz about Elvis’s legacy.

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Resources Required

• Projector and sound system
• Video presentation on Elvis Presley (age-appropriate, approx. 10 minutes)
• Audio clips of iconic Elvis Presley songs (e.g., “Hound Dog,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love”)
• Quiz sheets or interactive quiz software
• Visual aids/posters with key images and facts about Elvis Presley (dyslexia-friendly font and layout)

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Details	Differentiation/Extension
5 mins	Introduction and Engagement	Introduce the unit "Rock Legends Unleashed". Briefly talk about Elvis as "The King of Rock and Roll". Ask students if they know any Elvis songs or facts.	Use visuals and simplified language to support all learners; invite students to share any prior knowledge verbally or by drawing.
10 mins	Video Presentation	Show a 10-minute video about Elvis’s life, style, and impact on rock and roll.	Provide subtitles or a transcript for students with a learning disability or EAL learners. Pause occasionally for questions.
10 mins	Listening Activity & Group Discussion	Play three short iconic Elvis songs. Discuss distinctive elements: voice, rhythm, stage presence, and cultural impact.	Encourage advanced learners to think about why Elvis’s music was revolutionary. Use guiding questions for those who need support.
10 mins	Quiz & Reflection	Conduct a fun quiz on Elvis’s life and music with true/false and multiple-choice questions. Discuss answers to reinforce learning.	For extension, challenge advanced learners with deeper questions about Elvis’s influence on other music genres.
5 mins	Recap and Wrap-Up	Summarise key points. Ask students what surprised them or what they found interesting. Set a teaser for the next lesson in the unit.	Use graphic organisers or mind maps to reinforce understanding visually for students with literacy difficulties.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For diverse learners: Use multimodal input (video, audio, visuals) to support different learning strengths.
• Provide dyslexia-friendly reading materials with clear fonts, spacing, and highlighted keywords on fact sheets.
• Offer oral responses or drawing options for students less confident with writing.
• Use peer support and cooperative learning during discussion and quiz time.
• Break down complex vocabulary related to music and Elvis’s biography with simple explanations and visuals.

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Extension Activities

• Students can research other rock legends and prepare a short presentation for future lessons.
• Encourage composing or improvising a simple rhythm or melody inspired by Elvis’s music style using classroom instruments or digital apps.
• Invite students to bring their favourite song by another rock artist and compare it to Elvis’s style in the next lesson.

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Teacher Notes

• Ensure the video and musical clips are age-appropriate and culturally respectful.
• Use enthusiastic yet clear language to engage Year 4 students.
• Monitor student engagement and provide support or encouragement during discussions.
• Record observations of student participation for formative assessment aligned with the Australian Curriculum learning objectives.

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This lesson aligns with the Australian Curriculum v9's focus on developing listening skills and exploring music’s cultural significance, specifically by engaging students with an iconic figure like Elvis Presley, fostering both knowledge and appreciation for rock music history and culture.