Hip Hop in the Classroom
Posted Jun 9 2006
Although I am a bit of a hip-hop nerd, teaching the history of hip hop is secondary to me when students lag in their academic, job, and interpersonal skills. It’s not an exaggeration to say that too many students do not have basic survival skills. I have worked with 17 year olds who don’t know how many weeks are in a year, can’t tell time on a non-digital clock, or can barely add two by two numbers without a calculator. Some have extremely dysfunctional interpersonal skills. What will these young people do upon leaving high school, especially if they have had run ins with the law or a child? Although I enjoy casual, irreverent discussions, in the larger scheme of things do I really care if students can tell me who invented scratching if their basic life and academic skills are lacking? As countless studies have shown, our society is better at locking up young people than educating them. As a result, I try to teach students ways that they can navigate through difficult situations and the ability to see how they fit into society. Mind you, I’m not trying to paint a grim picture, but merely acknowledge that there are some serious problems that need to be addressed. All of the students I work with are intelligent and many have superior academic skills and work ethics. Nonetheless, many face fairly challenging circumstances and my job is to help give them the tools to empower themselves.
But while educators can discuss the cause for the current state of affairs, and who to blame, as a teacher in the trenches, I have to address the real, living person in front of me, not the theoretical, abstract student. Rethinking how we conceptualize our society and policies will have a more widespread impact, but I need to address the issues on a more micro level on a day-to-day basis. Using hip hop often gives students a familiar reference point to see the larger concepts affecting their lives. While some students have needs that are simply too extreme for us to address effectively, very few students do not aspire for success, even if they don’t show it. Teaching is as much of a psychological skill as it is a pedagological one.
Using hip hop in the classroom does not mean trying to pass off as a hip hop fan if you’re not one. Saying that you’re “getting jiggy with it” or using the word “dis” will probably backfire and make you look like you’re trying way too hard. At the end of the day, students respect teachers who are comfortable with themselves. Keep growing of course, but know your limitations. My students often joke about how “square” I am and they know that I don’t particularly care for much of the music on the radio. However, our constant dialogue builds stronger relationships and enhances the learning environment.
A key with using hip hop in the classroom is constantly seeking information and ideas from other teachers, the internet, television, and most importantly, the students themselves. As hip hop is constantly evolving, something that might have been popular a few months ago will be irrelevant today. It can be a confusing mass of information, but the extra effort can result in great rewards in the classroom. Even subtle ways, such as asking students for suggestions on posters for the classroom, can have a positive effect. We don’t have to be experts in hip hop or even use it every day. I grew up on the music and it hardly composes the majority of my class time. Using hip hop isn’t a panacea and should be treated as another tool in a teacher’s arsenal. In any case, researching the culture, experimenting with its possibilities, and engaging with students on their own terms keeps things fresh and can work wonders when used appropriately. Good luck in your efforts!
Lesson Ideas
*I tend to multi layer my lessons so these can work in a number of contexts
Rappers Are Millionaires
-An article examining recording contracts. Worked well in my math and economics classes.
Paris Trip
-Calculations related to booking an event in Europe, as well as the tourist excursion. This went over really well. (coming soon)
Geography Trivia
-International and U.S. trivia game incorporating history, culture, and hip hop
Critical Analysis of Ads
-A critical look at magazines, their messages, and who makes decisions about their content (coming soon)
The Proud
Satisfied
-Two songs examining current events
Branded
-A metaphorical spoken-word piece comparing materialism with colonialism and slavery.
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