Listening to rap music / Activity Analysis

Art

• The child can analyze the visual elements in rap music album covers, such as color, composition, and typography.
• They can also explore the use of symbolism and metaphor in rap music videos.
• They can experiment with creating their own album cover design inspired by their favorite rap song or artist.
• They can practice sketching or painting portraits of their favorite rap artists, focusing on capturing their unique style and expression.

English Language Arts

• The child can analyze the lyrics of rap songs to identify literary devices such as similes, metaphors, and alliteration.
• They can practice their listening and comprehension skills by transcribing rap lyrics and analyzing the rhyme scheme and wordplay.
• They can write their own rap lyrics, incorporating different poetic techniques and exploring themes that resonate with them.
• They can research the history and evolution of rap music, and write a reflective essay on the cultural significance of rap as an art form.

Continued development related to listening to rap music can include exploring the various sub-genres within rap, such as trap, conscious rap, or old-school rap. The child can also delve into the socio-political themes often addressed in rap music and explore how rap artists use their voices to advocate for social change. They can also learn more about the production and technical aspects of rap music, such as beat-making and recording techniques, and try their hand at producing their own rap beats or recording their own rap verses.

Book Recommendations

• The Rap Year Book: The Most Important Rap Song From Every Year Since 1979, Discussed, Debated, and Deconstructed by Shea Serrano: A comprehensive guide to the history of rap music, featuring in-depth analysis and discussions of the most influential rap songs of each year.
• The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur: A collection of poetry and lyrics by the legendary rapper, showcasing his artistic expression and personal struggles.
• Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation by Jeff Chang: An engaging and comprehensive exploration of the history and cultural impact of hip-hop, including rap music, from its origins to the present day.