Today I did a mini-lesson on rhymes. It was part of reviewing material on the Mississippi Curriculum Test that students did not master last year. I could have done a worksheet and all that jazz, but I decided to see how the students would respond to whitey busting out some Blackalicious. Plus, I'd be relating the lesson well to them and be hitting on the auditory learning modality. So, I printed out lyrics for "Making Progress" and played the song in class. They underlined rhymes that they heard in the song while it played. I of course edited the one curse word, out of the CD that I played and put 'even though stuff's hard' in the lyrics sheet. I was surprised that none of them picked up on the change.

The kids dug the lesson. I could tell that some of them were astonished that their awkward white teacher was teaching with rap as a tool. Some of them got really into it, too. A couple girls bobbed their heads as the music played while others sang lyrics from the song after it was over.

The independent practice that followed identifying rhymes was for them to write their own song by themselves or with a small group. Here are parts from some of the more humorous submissions. The sad part is that even they could beat Ian in a battle.

Breath

Proof be gone
Your breath is so strong
Wait, come back
I've got some tic-tacs
Your breath is so rockin'
It'll take a whole pack when you start talkin'
I just gotta step back not to be mean
But you need some Listerine
Not a sip, not a swalla'
But the whole dang bottle

(Untitled)

I want to go outside to play, play, play
I can't play a game because I get warnings every day

[lines with multiple names removed]

I don't like school 'cause we do work every day
I don't like work but I like getting a A
I like rocking jerseys but white t's is tight
When [name] walk outside he about to get in a fight
I like how the bathrooms are separated from girls and buys
But I don't like the fact that we can't bring cell phones and Game Boys
I know why y'all don't like me
'Cause I stay in throw back jerseys and Nikes

What You Looking At

Move step back
You ain't nothing but jack
So when I come through you better move step back
'Cause I know you don't want your neck crack
I'm the best player around
'Cause you know I get down
I swing like Ali
I'm having you saying 'ohh wee'
I roll through the street
With a biscuit and some meat
So when I come through you better step back
Before you get your neck crack

Fool, what you laughing at

Dispearal(?) demention, not false not fiction
Straight double religion and I steal demolition
I'm strong like Sampson, everyone's enhancing
So why you glancing
So move step back
Before you get your neck crack
Before I have pimp stampede
Fool, what you laughing at

(Untitled)

Top dolla'
With the gold flea colla'
Dippin' in my blue Impala
I'm a straight balla'
Some need a dolla'
I'm good with the honies
Some people acting funny
Because they don't got money

We ride on 24s
Sometime 84s
We call the elbows
Thsi is for the haters
That don't have gators