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Three Innovative Ways to Kick-off the School Year
#2
Singing the Narrative: Pop Music in the Classroom
Recommended for grades 8-12
How would you react if one of your students came into class and said: “Man, Snoop Dogg was dropping figurative language like it was hot!”
Believe it or not, this was music to Matthew McConn's ears.
McConn teaches high school English in Houston, Texas, to students who wear baggy clothes and baseball caps turned sideways. In accordance with the school's curriculum, he must begin the year with a narrative writing unit. Yet, instead of passing out copies of a Walt Whitman anthology, McConn passes out the lyrics to “Brenda's Got a Baby,” a rap song by Tupac Shakur.
“I've found that I can teach narrative structure using stories they know by heart...and love knowing,” he says. “For my students, that is hip-hop and rap music.”
Since 2002, McConn has been leading his students in an analysis of “Brenda’s Got a Baby” in order to help them understand the components of a good narrative structure. He begins by cutting the lyrics into four sections: beginning, rising action, climax, and resolution. Then he splits the class into groups of four, gives each group a copy of the sections, and prompts them to reassemble the lyrics. Within minutes, his class transforms from a body of reluctant students to a chorus of engaged students.
"Without fail, one of the students recognizes the song and starts singing it. Once the class realizes it's Tupac, they are enthralled with putting the lyrics back together in order," MConn says.
Afterwards, he leads a class discussion about the different elements of narrative structure—from characterization to figurative language—and how Tupac uses them in his song. Then he prompts his students to imitate Tupac as they write their own narrative stories.
He also emboldens them to listen out for literary devices used in their favorite songs. McConn is more than happy to extemporaneously play a CD during class so a student can point out the metaphors she noticed in a Snoop Dogg rap song.
McConn encourages educators to use pop music to breathe life into their lesson plans. He believes it's a great way to start off the school year because it gets kids pumped about reading and writing.
"And man, do they get excited," he says. "It's the kind of excitement that not only keeps me coming back, but allows me to love my job."
Getting Started
To incorporate music into your classroom, start by surveying your students to find out their favorite songs and artists. Then review the lyrics of the most popular ones and choose a song that has a strong narrative and is appropriate for class discussion. Some examples include:
- “Kick Push” by Lupe Fiasco (rap/hip-hop)
- “Home” by Chris Daughtry (pop/rock)
- “Tough” by Craig Morgan (country)
View more innovative ways to kick-off the school year:
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