Claim It and Rap It

As a teacher, finding ways to connect the curriculum to students' interests can be a game-changer. Recently, my 6th-grade class worked on a hip-hop claim activity, and it was a remarkable experience for everyone involved. Here's a glimpse into how this activity unfolded and why it became such a memorable part of our learning journey. 

We started with a brief discussion about what makes hip-hop such a powerful form of expression. Then, I played snippets of the chosen songs and displayed the lyrics on the board. As we worked through the first example together, students quickly caught on to the idea of identifying claims and evaluating evidence.

When it was time for independent work, I was blown away by their enthusiasm. Even students who are typically hesitant to participate were fully engaged. One student, who often struggles with writing assignments, confidently explained the claim in a song and how the artist used metaphors as evidence. Another student wrote a brilliant rap that connected personal experiences to a broader social issue. 

Overall, this was a fun and engaging way to learn about identifying claim and parts of an argument.