What I was thinking. Just like you wouldn't pull in at-risk white students with metal, or whatever music they like the most. I think the music they like the most is rap. But if a kid is into metal and you can use it as a teaching tool go for it.
As for using Harrison and Dylan that would have been like my teachers using Irving Berlin. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Big_Stacks"I don't worry about hittin' power, cause I don't give 'em nuttin' to hit." 4,670 Posts
I use my love of hip-hop to connect to students and build relationships, this helps foster a mutual respect and understanding.
Yep, my exact tact for closing the distance between me and my students. I list music production and record collection as personal interests of mine when I introduce myself to students on the first day of class. Part of the deal is to present myself as "human" instead of some instructing automaton. Once you connect, then you can impact (and get real when you need to)!!!
I think this program is trying to build on kids' prior knowledge and that is a good thing. We know that kids need to be engaged and we know that kids learn better when they can connect to the material. I would like to do something like this, but of course whatever I chose to cover would automatically be deemed "uncool" by my teenagers. We do know that our "at-risk" students do not always learn like our more privileged students, for many reasons- home environment, income, lack of experiences crucial to understanding subject matter, etc. Is hip-hop the answer? I don't know.
I use my love of hip-hop to connect to students and build relationships, this helps foster a mutual respect and understanding.
Thank you, what I was trying to say. The LTHH program, which I know only what is on the web site, is not for teens. 9-12.
Can you cite some specific examples of "current mainstream gangster hip hop" that are explicitly against education or literacy?
I said
No. Reason one, I'd have to listen to it. Reason two, I never said that.[/b]
You said
I'm wondering where you got that idea from. especially considering that you've never listened to it.
I tried to explain myself before by writing this:
I will try to clarify.
Yes, some poor children come from households where education is not held in high regard. Parents may feel threatened by their children's learning. They may feel they did fine without doing well at school so why should their kid. What is scarier to me is parents who come dressed in gang colors to enroll their kid, who they have dressed in gang colors, in kindergarten.
What I have not witnessed, but have heard about, happens in the middle and high school ages when children start to search for identity. This, as I understand it, is a real problem amongst Black teens. Teens feel pressure to act more "Black". This pressure includes not doing well in class.
Current mainstream gangster hip hop is the main soundtrack for what I am talking about.
I have said image and soundtrack. Fortunately I don't have to listen to it to know what kids (and some of their parents) are listening to or its image.
I get the feeling that you do listen to and enjoy current mainstream gangster hip hop (sorry if I sound I am). Since you listen to it perhaps you can answer your question of examples of any that is explicitly against education or literacy.
I don't think anyone is trying to replace traditional methods, but in our case, what is wrong with drawing kids to an afterschool program to engage in artforms they enjoy? Being that hip-hop is a form, what's wrong with promoting literacy in poetry writing excersises.
Another aspect is teaching kids to think critically about the lyrics of the music they enjoy. A lot of the kids memorize the words without an understanding of the meaning. That's huge.
my last gf had a 7 year old son that didn't want to learn how to read he was bright,very articulate and logical/fast with a large vocab and serious powers of reasioning and could understand abstract concepts.
but he was falling way behind all the other kids because he was a stubborn little dude He simply didn't want to learn like all the other kids at that point in his life. hmmmmmmmm so i hooked up holmes with comic books -spiderman, batman etc and spent some time with him. within a week he was owning it within 3 months he was pulling an "A" in english so my maxim is "by any means necessary" hip hop,graffitti,comic books ,the back of a cereal box at breakfast .. words are everywhere also i made my girl label all the stuff in her crib with lil sticky notes light switch' mirror bookshelf stereo etc etc
the school wanted to put him in special ed and leave him back a grade it would seem that they are quick to label and slow kids down in the system
my last gf had a 7 year old son that didn't want to learn how to read he was bright,very articulate and logical/fast with a large vocab and serious powers of reasioning and could understand abstract concepts.
but he was falling way behind all the other kids because he was a stubborn little dude He simply didn't want to learn like all the other kids at that point in his life. hmmmmmmmm so i hooked up holmes with comic books -spiderman, batman etc and spent some time with him. within a week he was owning it within 3 months he was pulling an "A" in english so my maxim is "by any means necessary" hip hop,graffitti,comic books ,the back of a cereal box at breakfast .. words are everywhere also i made my girl label all the stuff in her crib with lil sticky notes light switch' mirror bookshelf stereo etc etc
the school wanted to put him in special ed and leave him back a grade it would seem that they are quick to label and slow kids down in the system
how do you account for well educated individuals who also base their image and soundtrack on hip hop?
Since I have said nothing that would suggest that there are not, or could not be, such individuals I don't see why I need to account.
pmrc did a positive post about a program he is getting involved in. I said I thought it sounded like a good program. I give him props for doing something positive.
Noz you know he's right. For example: I went to school with a guy that knew the cats from Original Flavor. Chubby Chub once caught him studying and asked: "n*gga, you read??"
These types of interventions reak of paternalism and condescension in my view.
this is a point where i want to contend something
granted the website reaks of spicandspan aid stuff but i will not judge until i participate myself
Basically from what you are sending my efforts in Peru (aftyerschool community center for shantytown kids) could be viewed in the same way
And i amsayingthis not in a personal defense/justification way but just to bring in a concept
People always ask about the sustainability of our project (they are still dependent on you for the $$$) even though the Peruvian NGO is a local initiative or other sorts of questions such as what does this really do to enhance the future of these kids (does it provide employement..is it just a nusery ride until they become adults or move to another shantytown
this brings in the releveance of education based projects and communal support projects in general..
and i answer this
Its the best we can do for now and it yields unqualifiable results
just like the reading through comicbooks story
if you boil it down simply a couple of kids will have fun with an MC and DJ and be encouraged to read and write..they will benefit from the socialization aspects of the experience plus the educational aspects and this will be a positive and motivating force in their life or if anything a positive experience
Its a good look and not overarchingly orchestarted such as reasons you could use to criticize USAID dev projects
I agree black litterature could also be good but this is "fun and exciting" for the kids
I think the other thing to note is that LTHH is not meant to REPLACE curriculum in schools but rather, supplement. Insofar as that may be true, it's not that people are saying, "let's abandon the basics of elementary school education and replace it with hip-hop." The latter WOULD BE condescending. I think LTHH is trying to find a more innovative way of reaching children.
These types of interventions reak of paternalism and condescension in my view.
this is a point where i want to contend something
granted the website reaks of spicandspan aid stuff but i will not judge until i participate myself
Basically from what you are sending my efforts in Peru (aftyerschool community center for shantytown kids) could be viewed in the same way
And i amsayingthis not in a personal defense/justification way but just to bring in a concept
People always ask about the sustainability of our project (they are still dependent on you for the $$$) even though the Peruvian NGO is a local initiative or other sorts of questions such as what does this really do to enhance the future of these kids (does it provide employement..is it just a nusery ride until they become adults or move to another shantytown
this brings in the releveance of education based projects and communal support projects in general..
and i answer this
Its the best we can do for now and it yields unqualifiable results
just like the reading through comicbooks story
if you boil it down simply a couple of kids will have fun with an MC and DJ and be encouraged to read and write..they will benefit from the socialization aspects of the experience plus the educational aspects and this will be a positive and motivating force in their life or if anything a positive experience
Its a good look and not overarchingly orchestarted such as reasons you could use to criticize USAID dev projects
I agree black litterature could also be good but this is "fun and exciting" for the kids
Please let us know about your experience. Where are you doing this?
By the way I think that hip hop lyrics are literature.
From the web site I see some positive things that people are overlooking. First it is for 9-12 before kids are completely jaded. Second, it does not ask that the teacher be cool or act cool. It asks for cool people like pmrc to volunteer to help the teacher get the curriculum across. I know from taking books to 4th graders that even though I am older and more disconnected than their teachers they think I am way cool.
It's great to use hip-hop in the classroom but I am suspicious of any "program" that wishes to "incorporate" "alternate curriculae" in order to "help" "disadvantaged" children.
It's great to use hip-hop in the classroom but I am suspicious of any "program" that wishes to "incorporate" "alternate curriculae" in order to "help" "disadvantaged" children.
I went to school in Montgomery County MD in the 60s and 70s. One of the richest school districts in the country. I'll tell you a dirty secret. Even though we were not disadvantaged our school district "incorporated" all kinds of "programs" and "alternate curriculae" in order to "help" the kids who were not being reached by the "traditional" method.
The reason some schools and kids are "disadvantaged" is because some people are suspicious of giving them the advantages that they had.
It's great to use hip-hop in the classroom but I am suspicious of any "program" that wishes to "incorporate" "alternate curriculae" in order to "help" "disadvantaged" children.
It's great to use hip-hop in the classroom but I am suspicious of any "program" that wishes to "incorporate" "alternate curriculae" in order to "help" "disadvantaged" children.
But rappenin' is what's happenin'!
Also: if hip-hop improves literacy, then some of these little dudes need to listen to more rap.
It's great to use hip-hop in the classroom but I am suspicious of any "program" that wishes to "incorporate" "alternate curriculae" in order to "help" "disadvantaged" children.
But rappenin' is what's happenin'!
Also: if hip-hop improves literacy, then some of these little dudes need to listen to more rap.
Thats what I am saying. The image of hip hop can be anti-learning. But most mcs have a great command of the language. Think of that movie about freestyling. Those cats are studying the dictionary.
Comments
What I was thinking. Just like you wouldn't pull in at-risk white students with metal, or whatever music they like the most.
I think the music they like the most is rap. But if a kid is into metal and you can use it as a teaching tool go for it.
As for using Harrison and Dylan that would have been like my teachers using Irving Berlin. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Yep, my exact tact for closing the distance between me and my students. I list music production and record collection as personal interests of mine when I introduce myself to students on the first day of class. Part of the deal is to present myself as "human" instead of some instructing automaton. Once you connect, then you can impact (and get real when you need to)!!!
Peace,
Big Stacks from Kakalak
Thank you, what I was trying to say. The LTHH program, which I know only what is on the web site, is not for teens. 9-12.
you said
I'm wondering where you got that idea from. especially considering that you've never listened to it.
You said
I said
You said
I tried to explain myself before by writing this:
I have said image and soundtrack. Fortunately I don't have to listen to it to know what kids (and some of their parents) are listening to or its image.
I get the feeling that you do listen to and enjoy current mainstream gangster hip hop (sorry if I sound I am). Since you listen to it perhaps you can answer your question of examples of any that is explicitly against education or literacy.
Another aspect is teaching kids to think critically about the lyrics of the music they enjoy. A lot of the kids memorize the words without an understanding of the meaning. That's huge.
my last gf had a 7 year old son that didn't want to learn how to read
he was bright,very articulate and logical/fast with a large vocab and serious powers of reasioning and could understand abstract concepts.
but he was falling way behind all the other kids because he was a stubborn little dude
He simply didn't want to learn like all the other kids at that point in his life.
hmmmmmmmm
so i hooked up holmes with comic books -spiderman, batman etc and spent some time
with him.
within a week he was owning it
within 3 months he was pulling an "A" in english
so my maxim is "by any means necessary" hip hop,graffitti,comic books ,the back of a cereal box at breakfast .. words are everywhere
also i made my girl label all the stuff in her crib with lil sticky notes
light switch'
mirror
bookshelf
stereo
etc etc
the school wanted to put him in special ed and leave him back a grade
it would seem that they are quick to label and slow kids down in the system
Good for you, mate. Exactly - whatever it takes.
see you there
so my maxim is "by any means necessary" hip hop,graffitti,comic books ,the back of a cereal box at breakfast ..
This is what I am talking about.
http://www.babyhiphop.net/
Since I have said nothing that would suggest that there are not, or could not be, such individuals I don't see why I need to account.
pmrc did a positive post about a program he is getting involved in. I said I thought it sounded like a good program. I give him props for doing something positive.
I do and I explained why. You don't and think I am wrong. I'm fine with that.
It's called "Baby Hip-Hop," not "Baby Faux_Rillz."*
* Please say the Baby.
oh yea.....duh
i did a little quick research ...dudes are trying to do something positive so i'll leave it alone
Apparently, Noz stopped paying attention to hip-hop after "You Must Learn."
this is a point where i want to contend something
granted the website reaks of spicandspan aid stuff but i will not judge until i participate myself
Basically from what you are sending my efforts in Peru (aftyerschool community center for shantytown kids) could be viewed in the same way
And i amsayingthis not in a personal defense/justification way but just to bring in a concept
People always ask about the sustainability of our project (they are still dependent on you for the $$$) even though the Peruvian NGO is a local initiative or other sorts of questions such as what does this really do to enhance the future of these kids (does it provide employement..is it just a nusery ride until they become adults or move to another shantytown
this brings in the releveance of education based projects and communal support projects in general..
and i answer this
Its the best we can do for now and it yields unqualifiable results
just like the reading through comicbooks story
if you boil it down simply a couple of kids will have fun with an MC and DJ and be encouraged to read and write..they will benefit from the socialization aspects of the experience plus the educational aspects and this will be a positive and motivating force in their life or if anything a positive experience
Its a good look and not overarchingly orchestarted such as reasons you could use to criticize USAID dev projects
I agree black litterature could also be good but this is "fun and exciting" for the kids
As has been well-noted: whatever it takes.
Please let us know about your experience. Where are you doing this?
By the way I think that hip hop lyrics are literature.
From the web site I see some positive things that people are overlooking. First it is for 9-12 before kids are completely jaded. Second, it does not ask that the teacher be cool or act cool. It asks for cool people like pmrc to volunteer to help the teacher get the curriculum across. I know from taking books to 4th graders that even though I am older and more disconnected than their teachers they think I am way cool.
Sounds like ebonics to me.
Program. Incorporate. alternate curriculae. help. disadvantaged.
I went to school in Montgomery County MD in the 60s and 70s. One of the richest school districts in the country. I'll tell you a dirty secret. Even though we were not disadvantaged our school district "incorporated" all kinds of "programs" and "alternate curriculae" in order to "help" the kids who were not being reached by the "traditional" method.
The reason some schools and kids are "disadvantaged" is because some people are suspicious of giving them the advantages that they had.
But rappenin' is what's happenin'!
Also: if hip-hop improves literacy, then some of these little dudes need to listen to more rap.
Thats what I am saying. The image of hip hop can be anti-learning. But most mcs have a great command of the language. Think of that movie about freestyling. Those cats are studying the dictionary.
I would start by showing that movie.