Should hiphop/music be used in the classroom...help me out

[teecee]

Whats up ya'll, i am a social studies and physical education teacher, and i am trying to think of ways to use music in social studies....

Topics i want to touch on include "inequality, social injustice, minority struggles (ghettos in the states, aboriginal reserves in canada....), war, protest, etc....

Because i love hiphop, and alot of my students do too (some of them LOVE PAC man, its crazy), i think it would be great to bring into the classroom.

Some songs i am considering include Changes, Keep Ya head up, Makeshift Patriot- Sage (about 911),...any recomendations on other songs i could use?  I dont want songs with a lot of profanity because i dont feel like getting calls from students parents, etc.  I need songs with meaning and actual thought, hope ya'll can help me out.....

Oh ya, songs that arent hiphop would be great too, stuff like protest songs form the 60's etc, anything would be a help, because i want to try to do an entire unit through the use of music. THANX

[Doggystylin]

oh damn thats dope as hell your a teacher who loves hip hop? homie come here and be my teacher, lol.....i suggest u put on some political bone for em, like bizzy solo songs, they touch some deep subjects

[West Coast Veteran]

Definitely Public Enemy. When I was young I really got into PE because of their single "Fight The Power" then eventually bought all their albums within a two month period. I really learned a lot from them when it came to politics and struggles.

"Shut 'Em Down" - Talks about the liquor stores in black neighborhoods.
"911 Is A Joke" - A comedic jab taken at the police.
"Fight The Power" - Just a classic track dissing the system. "Elvis was a hero to most..."
"Don't Believe The Hype" - Another political track going against political powers.

[southbound]

teecee i want to commend you on that idea because its nice to use a tool like that to motivate a student just like back in the days when they used money as a way to get people to do math. hip hop can be a tool to learn different parts of education. make a subject fun and keep attention not to mention the fact that you would be a favorite teacher to many of your students if they can relate to you lol. keep up the good work!

[Kaidy]

Yea I'd also like to commend teecee. Much respect just for being a teacher, and thats a great idea trying to bring hip hop into it.

I think 2Pac's Me Against The World album deals with a lot of the issues you're concerned with. Especially tracks like Lord Knows, So Many Tears and the title track.

And if you want to expand into other genres go back and listen to some Marvin Gaye. the whole Whats Going On album is all about the downfall of society

[Kain670]

Social Studies HAHA
Teach a real subject I guess Canadian schools are as fucked up as American schools there should only be 4 subject in Grammar School
Physical Education - World History(x1), Math(x2), Science(x2) and English(x2)

Stop wasting your time teecee...hip hop in school is a waste of fucking time

Stop bullshitting kids......your not a damn college professor
College is the place for Higher Learning..you just make sure you kids know how to read and multiply

Why don't you teach a real subject TeeCee? :Ploser

Its True Its True

[Kaidy]

kain dont be a dick, you aint impressing anybody.

[DonCorleone187]

if he played 50 cent in the classroom then kain would like it

[Kain670]

You funny Kaidy
no need for me to impress any1 on a message board
I was just answering the question
((Should hiphop/music be used in the classroom...help me out))


50 cent in the classroom HAHA

[teecee]

First of all, thanks guys for the ideas and for the feedback, i appreciate it...ya, most older teachers HATE rap, but to me it is very relevant as it actually touches on societal issued and such.  Of course i want be using Snoop or Dre or sumshit, but i still love their music. WHo the fuck said i was gonna use "50 cent" in the classroom?

KAIN, thanks for the feedback man, i appreciate it and wish you could have had a better experience in your grade school years.  I do happen to also teach computers and Phys Ed, so fuck you by the way.  Seriously, i happen to think Social Studies is a GREAT class if taught right, as it can be a class where students learn to think critically as compared to science or math or just plain history where shit is just the way it is.....
What is your profession Kain?  You still in school or you dropped out?  I respect you cuz you got an opinion at least, but why is your opinion the way it is?  Bad experiences i guess....besides, i teach grades 10-12, so MOST of the kids can read and write, and even multiply.  Furthermore, i am certified to teach math you fucking "loser", but i dont get any joy out of it cuz it is just a bunch of numbers that dont really mean anything.... i think EVERY subject has a place in a school, as the more subjects a students takes the more well-rounded a student becomes.  I feel sad for you or your kids if your opinion is the way it is Kain..........but thanks for the reply man....

If anyone has anymore ideas, let me know.......peace

[CharlieBrown]

2Pac - Brenda's got a baby
Company Flow - Makeshift Patriot
Ras Kass - Nature of the Threat
Ras Kass - Interview with a Vampire
Talib Kweli - The Proud

Bob Dylan - Blowin in the Wind
Jimi Hendrix's version of the stars and stripes

[Kain670]

I kinda feel sorry for you and your kids thinking about using Rap in the classroom..........and I didn't say anything about 50 cent for the record

Senior year Computer Science Major w/Minor Geography and History
So I can care less about social studies and all those bullshit classes
soccer mom teachers make up so they can have a job
 
When I do have kids I know I won't send them to your school
I would rather pay a shitload of money for my kids to go to a real school
I had a great expierence in school but I thought most of it was a waste of my time

Well Rounded Student??haha that means average in every subject
All you need is Math/English/Science everything else is cake you can learn in college

Math is a bunch of numbers???Then you must not be that bright if you think that

What Math can you teach?? Addition and Subtraction