Listening to rap music

English Language Arts

• The child can analyze the lyrics of rap songs to identify literary devices such as similes, metaphors, and personification.
• They have developed their listening skills by actively paying attention to the rhythm, rhymes, and wordplay in rap music.
• They have improved their vocabulary by encountering new words and expressions used in rap lyrics.
• Through listening to rap music, the child has also gained an understanding of storytelling techniques, as many rap songs tell narratives or share personal stories.

Music

• The child has learned about the elements of rhythm and how it is used in rap music to create catchy and engaging beats.
• They have explored different styles and subgenres within rap music, such as trap, conscious rap, and old-school rap.
• By listening to various rap artists, the child has gained an appreciation for different vocal techniques, flow patterns, and delivery styles.
• They have also developed an understanding of sampling and how producers use snippets of other songs to create new tracks in rap music.

Continued Development Tip: Encourage the child to try writing their own rap lyrics. This can help them further explore the use of literary devices, improve their creative writing skills, and develop a deeper understanding of the structure and wordplay in rap music.

Book Recommendations

• The Crossover by Kwame Alexander: A novel in verse that combines basketball and rap, telling the story of twin brothers who navigate love, family, and their shared passion for music.
• Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds: A powerful and gripping novel written in verse, following a young boy's journey to avenge his brother's death through a series of elevator rides, where he encounters ghosts and confronts his own choices.
• When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds: This coming-of-age novel explores friendship, family, and personal identity in the backdrop of a Brooklyn neighborhood, with a protagonist who loves rap music and aspires to be a DJ.