Hip hop, poetry, the classroom: a discussion

For this session we’ll be reading a news article on using Hip Hop in the classroom. We’ll then look at two short pieces, one by Dylan Thomas and the other by Tupac Shakur. In the news article we’ll reading for the author’s argument. Then we’ll test out the teacher’s connection by analyzing a classic poem against a contemporary rap.

Here is a link to the reading.

In small groups answer the following questions:

“Hip-Hop Helps Teach Everything from English to Algebra"

1.      What is Hellweg’s argument?

2.      Do you agree or disagree with his argument? Why? 

3.      What did you learn about the history of hip hop?

4.      The article states: teachers have to compete with technology and media for students' attention. Do teachers have a responsibility to respond to this? How should they respond? What is a student’s responsibility regarding technology and classroom focus?

5.      Is it appropriate to use hip hop and rap in the classroom? What should teachers censor out (language, content)? 

6.      What is poetry? Is hip hop poetry? Defend your answers.

“Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night” and “Me Against The World”

1.    Rewrite Thomas’ poem in your own words.

2.    Why does Thomas use repetition in his poem?

3.    What does the use of rhyme add to Thomas’ poem?

4.    Rewrite Tupac’s poem in your own words.

5.     What does the use of rhyme add to Tupac’s poem?

6.    Which is the stronger poem? Why?