Bassel and the Supernaturals

Learning Materials

Wordplay is brought to you by the Office of English Language Programs, American Music Abroad, and American Voices.

Artist: Bassel and the Supernaturals

(Click to view Snapshots)

We have created lesson plans and a video series to use in the classroom. Scroll down to see all lesson materials or download the full package here.

Featured Song: Smoke by Bassel and the Supernaturals

Download ‘Smoke’

Download Featured Song "Smoke" mp3

Music Video

Karaoke (Lyric-only) Video

Video Activities

Program Materials

Click the tabs below to access all the materials for Wordplay.

Below is an incredible collection from American English to provide fun new ways of teaching and learning English.

Use these files in conjunction with the song in this language package for an integrated teaching experience.

More available at https://americanenglish.state.gov/

Smoke by Bassel and the Supernaturals

Smoke I feel your fire
I ain’t broke, I’m made of iron
Sky’s looking gloomy from the rain I’m assuming
A break from the city is a welcome opportunity
Somebody save me before I go crazy
Well I’m a nomad – and no, I’m not mad – I just I know it ain’t over ’til
the lady rolls over
Smoke til’ I feel your fire
I won’t choke – I’m too inspired
Why do I go in circles around you?
I want to come through
Feeling wide-eyed – sober the older I get
Smoke – I feel your fire
I ain’t broke, I’m made of iron
Take time when I know I’m in over my head
I’m sweating bullets from the same thing
Paint the town, getting loud
Shut it down like a movie star
I’m built for the stage
No smoke & mirrors but the real thing
So baby, baby now don’t you snooze
Don’t you snooze
Wide-eyed
Shine the light
Check the mic
All for you I sing
It’s all smoke & mirrors

A2 Level Words

around
adverb
positioned near someone or something

break
noun
when you stop an activity for a short time (usually to rest or eat)

broke
adjective
(informal) short for broken; damaged

built
verb
(informal) to be especially good at something; made for something

check
verb
to examine something to make sure it is correct

fire
noun
heat, light, and flames that are produced when something burns

for
preposition
having a particular purpose

go in
verb
go in to enter a place

looking
verb
used to describe the appearance of a person or thing

loud
adjective
making a lot of noise

mad
adjective
angry

made of
verb
something that is produced from a substance or material

mirror
noun
shiny metallic material which reflects images

over
adverb
more than a particular amount or level

real
adjective
not artificial or false

sky
noun
the area above the Earth in which clouds and the sun can be seen

so
conjunction
for this reason; used to explain why something happens

somebody
pronoun
someone

stage
noun
the raised area in a theatre where actors perform

star
noun
a famous singer, actor, sports person, etc.

thing
noun
used to refer to an activity or event

time
noun
a particular amount of time

when
conjunction
used to say at what time something happened or will happen

B1 Level Words

before
conjunction
until (the event mentioned)

just
adverb
only; simply

iron
noun
a hard grey metal

lady
noun
a polite or old-fashioned way of referring to a woman

light
noun
the brightness that allows you to see things

opportunity
noun
a situation that makes it possible for you to do something

over
adverb
finished; across; from one side or place to another

save
verb
to stop someone or something from being harmed or injured

shine
verb
to produce bright light

smoke
noun
the grey gas that is produced when something burns

your
determiner
belonging or relating to people generally

B2 Level Words

assuming
verb
to think that something is true, without question or proof

bullet
noun
a small metal object that is shot from a gun

inspire
verb
to give someone an idea for something (usually creative)

roll
verb
to turn over

sweat
verb
to produce liquid through your skin because you are hot

welcome
verb
to encourage or support something

C1/C2 Level Words

circle
verb
to move in a circle, often around something

come through
verb
to manage to get to the end of a difficult or dangerous situation

sober
adjective
someone who is serious and thinks a lot

Other Words

ain’t
verb
(informal) am not; is not

mic
noun
(informal) microphone

nomad
noun
a person who does not stay in one place for very long

shut down
verb
to close; to stay until the end of an event

wide-eyed
adjective
having little experience; willing to believe or trust easily; naive

For each heading in the materials, we have identified an icon to help instructors quickly find and identify information. Please use them when creating any new materials or adapting previous materials. The icon should be left justified and appear below the section heading. Any text should appear to the right of the icon.

ICON	MEANING
	Activity Summary
	Additional Resources
	Associated Audio
	Associated Video
	Less Challenging (for beginners)
	Lesson Plan
	Listening
	More Challenging (for advanced learners)
	Online Tip
	Reading
	Speaking
	Writing

Snapshots

Bassel and the Supernaturals Snapshots

Short question videos to use in the classroom to start new conversations in a modern “Stories” format.

These worksheets include short games can be used with the Snapshot videos for a quick activity in the classroom.

ACTIVITIES

Watch the Snapshots and refer to the documents below for quick classroom activities.

About The Artist

Bassel & The Supernaturals

Bassel & The Supernaturals tells the story of Bassel Almadani’s experience as a first generation Syrian-American using soulful melodies, funk inspired rhythms, and captivating lyrics regarding love, loss, and the war in Syria.

Deeply inspired by Otis Redding, Bassel uses the stage as a vehicle to engage audiences in over 100 different cities across North America. In addition to performing in major festivals, performance halls, concert series, and clubs – the group works closely with organizations on events and residencies that build awareness and empathy for Syrian refugees. A substantial portion of their proceeds benefit the Karam Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization focused on building a better future for Syria.

Their sophomore release, Elements (2017), was premiered by Noisey/Vice, and led to their involvement in the nationally-acclaimed SXSW 2017 showcase ‘ContraBanned: #MusicUnites’ featuring artists from the diaspora of countries targeted by the travel ban. They’ve since been featured on PRI, Al Jazeera, Reuters, Paste Magazine, Huffington Post, NowThis, and many others. The album draws inspiration from artists such as Snarky Puppy, Jamiroquai, and Steely Dan’s “Aja.”

Bassel & The Supernaturals has performed in over 300 concerts between 2016-2019 on stages including SXSW, John F. Kennedy Center, Summerfest, and Millennium Park, and supporting internationally touring artists such as Youssou N’Dour, Brother Ali, Aesop Rock, Emancipator, The Dandy Warhols, Sinkane, and many others.

Upon returning from a service trip to Istanbul in September 2019 working with displaced Syrians, Bassel & The Supernaturals released their full-length album, Smoke & Mirrors, in April 2020. “Stepping Back in Time” was featured on Spotify’s official “All Funked Up” playlist and recently surpassed 500,000 streams. The band collaborated with TedX Talks as well on their music video for “Calculated Love” featuring Chicago’s resilient youth in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Classroom Survey

Tell us what you think! Participants of Wordplay programs worldwide are asked to complete this survey to help us deliver better programs every time.

Click here to complete: https://forms.gle/8Go6kfbH3g7WX8Mu9

About the Office of English Language Programs

More great information for teachers to use in the English classroom can be found at: https://americanenglish.state.gov/

Promoting the learning and teaching of American English around the world is an integral part of the Department of State’s efforts to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Increasing the English language capacity of audiences overseas deepens and enriches their engagement with American counterparts and builds lasting bridges between cultures. English language learning is also key to increasing access to the many exchange programs administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and other academic and professional exchange opportunities in the United States, particularly for potential grantees from underrepresented groups, including women and minorities. In addition, English language programs advance the Department of State’s economic statecraft and foreign assistance goals by expanding access to the local and global job markets, particularly among youth.

The Office of English Language Programs designs and manages programs to promote language learning and support the teaching of English in countries around the world. These programs are administered through local American Embassies and Consulates and are overseen by Regional English Language Officers. The Office of English Language Programs also provides academic expertise and develops English teaching and learning resources for use worldwide. The American English website provides links to multimedia resources and information on exchange opportunities for teachers and students of English as a foreign language.

View All Language Kits

Wordplay is brought to you by the Office of English Language Programs, American Music Abroad, and American Voices.

More information available at:
https://americanenglish.state.gov/