I wanted to explore the ways in which I could incorporate music into a 5-12 classroom. Although rap is often considered a controversial topic in a classroom setting, educators are beginning to understand that the medium has its benefits. If an option for student's final project was to rap a poem and the process engages that student, then I would consider it a success. Here is an example of a recent high school graduate rapping "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe as well as the poem itself.
"The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe
"The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe rapped by Jim Lian
Another way to incorporate music into the classroom is to add depth and a deeper understanding of a poem or novel. Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie deeply revolves around the myth of blues "grandfather," Robert Johnson. Alexie plays with Johnson's mysterious life and death and incorporates the myth into his story. Knowledge about Robert Johnson is essential for a deeper understanding of the novel. An introduction to Robert Johnson and the blues would be a great pre-reading activity for Reservation Blues.
Here are the lyrics for Robert Johnson's "Cross Road Blues." It was be useful to listen to the song as the students followed along with the printed lyrics.
Robert Johnson "Cross Road Blues"
This is a clip of the 80's movie, "The Crossroads." (the Ralph Macchio movie, not the Britney Spears one). I think showing the students a modern medium (in this case, film) containing the subject matter always validates the message for young adults. This is the opening scene of the movie that shows Macchio, who currently studies classical guitar, "discovers" Robert Johnson's music.
The Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Website
As the Rock and Roll website suggests in one of their lesson plans, linking the Blues to Langston Hughes is important as well. An understanding of the form of the Blues enhances reading Hughes as well. Hughes' understanding and mimicking the blues in his poetry facilitates a study of the blues.
In "The Weary Blues," Hughes describes watching a blues piano player and the vividly describes the feeling he gets while watching this blues piano player.
Langston Hughes "The Weary Blues"
In "Po Boy Blues," Hughes mimics the blues' poetic and lyrical standards that the blues fosters.
Langston Hughes "Po Boy Blues"
Great job leading class the other day! I thought the discussion about blues was really interesting. I took the History of Jazz course here and we didn't talk much about blues, so I had no idea about the role "the devil" plays in the construction of the music as well as the personalities of the blues artists. I totally agree with you that music should be a more prominent aspect of English education. Not only is it an excellent form of poetry and literature, but students will definitely relate more to class content when music is used, especially pop culture music like rock and rap. Great job!
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