Goals:

To apply the information they have learned about pirates to the creation of lyrics.

To create "poetry" in the form of a rap.

Content Areas:

Social Studies - information about pirates

Music - applying lyrics to performance of a rap

Language Arts - developing lyrics which fit the form of the rap

Materials:

Reference materials on pirates (if needed)

A rap background (you may buy a pre-recorded one, use a synthesizer with rhythmic capabilities, or create your own)

Paper/pencil

Procedure: (2 hours)

1) Brainstorm with the entire class about topics relating to pirates that could be included in each group's rap.

2) Provide students with a rhyme pattern or form of the rap which you would like them to write. As a class, develop a sample rap, or offer students a sample you have written about a different subject, just to give them an idea of your expectations.

3) Divide students into small groups.

4) Within small groups, students are responsible for writing their own raps. These raps will be performed for the whole class. After lyrics are created, adding actions, or creating some very basic "costumes" may be an excellent extension.

5) As students are working, teacher will circulate and use a checklist to record whether or not all students are actively participating.

6) Students will perform their raps for the entire class.

Assessment:

Students will be evaluated based on their participation in the group work, and they will also be evaluated on the final rap they develop. Participation will be recorded on a teacher checklist with a plus, check, or minus. The rap will be evaluated by the teacher and the rest of the class with the evaluation form found below. Criteria for success: Each student who earns a plus or check is demonstrating adequate participation. By earning a score of three, four, or five in each area on the peer evaluation form below, each group will be successful.

Peer Evaluation

Names of Presentors:

Please rate your peers in each of the following areas: 5=Excellent 4=Very Good 3=Good 2=Fair 1=Poor
 
Creativity____

Organization____

Successful use of rhyme scheme and form_____

Quality of presentation - Could we understand the words, etc.?_____

Use of movement or costume (if applicable)______

Extensions:

If your school has a talent show, encourage students to share their raps!

Videotape the raps and have them playing during conferences or open house.

 This page was summitted by St. Norbert College Ocean Voyagers Program