1. Let’s Rap about Rap A WebQuest for 7 th /8th Grade (Music) Designed by (Bob Urbani) burbani@peru.k12.in.us burbani@peru.k12.in.us

2. Introduction Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Standards | Resources | Teacher NotesTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionStandardsResources Teacher Notes Raps are talk songs. They are not sung; they are spoken. They have a very heavy beat and a lot of rhyme. Where did Rap start? How does the music reflect things that happen in our daily lives? In this quest you will learn more about Rap music and YOU will choose your group and character to create an authentic Rap song! Sound exciting? Let’s get started! Let’s Rap about Rap Created by Bob Urbani August 3 rd 2004 For this WebQuest, you are part of a special team that has been chosen by the American Recording Industry to find the history of Rap music, and write an authentic song that will be positive and uplifting. The song will have background music, dance and will be performed at a special concert for your class and the President of the United States. The project that best meets the criteria in the rubric will be distributed to the entire student body. Good Luck!

3. Let’s Rap about Rap Created by Bob Urbani August 3 rd 2004 IntroductionIntroduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Standards | Resources | Teacher NotesTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionStandardsResources Teacher Notes 1.Decide your character and role. 2.Explore the internet options of your character, remember you only get ONE day on the net! 3.Create a performance Rubric for your group and class groups. 4.Perform your creation. The Tasks

4. Process Musician: Collaborate with team members to decide a subject for the song and write the song. Remember it cannot be plagiarized. For ideas on how to rhyme Rap Example DictionaryRap ExampleDictionary Dancer: Collaborate with team members to decide a beat and style of dance that will fit the rap. Decide if you will dance alone or with other members. You can collaborate with the musician or the historian until the song is complete. Historian: Research the origination of Rap music, write 2 complete paragraphs about Rap to share with the group and turn in. You will also type the lyrics. Hip Hop Rap HistoryHip HopRap History D.J.: Find reasonable background music to go with the rap. You will also play the role of President for the performance. Example Example President’s entrance: IntroductionIntroduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Standards | Resources | Teacher NotesTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionStandardsResources Teacher Notes Let’s Rap about Rap Created by Bob Urbani August 3 rd 2004

5. Evaluation IntroductionIntroduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Standards | Resources | Teacher NotesTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionStandardsResources Teacher Notes Let’s Rap about Rap Created by Bob Urbani August 3 rd 2004

6. Conclusion “Rap Music" plays an important part in the history of our country. It provides people with news of wars, messages of the social climate, and is a source of entertainment to the masses. It has the power to persuade as well as to entertain. After completing this WebQuest, you hopefully have a better understanding of the history of Rap and of what it takes to create an original song. I would encourage you to create a Rap that will change someone’s perspective of the environment, any social issue, or even problems in your community. Let’s Rap about Rap Created by Bob Urbani August 3 rd 2004 IntroductionIntroduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Standards | Resources | Teacher NotesTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionStandardsResources Teacher Notes

7. Standards Let’s Rap about Rap Created by Bob Urbani August 3 rd 2004 IntroductionIntroduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Standards | Resources | Teacher NotesTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionStandardsResources Teacher Notes National Standards 3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments. 4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines. 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music. 7. Evaluating music and music performances. 9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture. Indiana State Standards Standard 5 Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines. 6.5.2 Create or assist in creating a fully original composition. 6.5.3 Select instruments or sounds to be added to a piece being written Standard 8 Understanding music in relation to history and culture. 6.8.1 Research the historical origins of musical styles as well as the cultures that proceed them. Standard 9 Evaluating and critiquing music and music performances. 6.9.1 Write a personal and classroom rubric, which will be used to evaluate performances and compositions.

8. References Educators Reference DeskEducators Reference Desk Lesson plan submitted by Bob Urbani, teacher at Peru Junior High School used in his 7 th and 8 th grade classes. Example Example Turntables is a web site that will have them investigate different background sounds. After you have your sound you can copy and make a tape to use for the rap. Rap History Rap History History and background of Rap music. Hip HopHip HopHistory of Hip Hop music. DictionaryDictionary Dictionary of Rap terms. Rap ExampleRap Example Drug Free Rap published by Jenson Inc. Let’s Rap about Rap Created by Bob Urbani August 3 rd 2004 IntroductionIntroduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Standards | Resources | Teacher NotesTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionStandardsResources Teacher Notes

9. Let’s Rap about Rap Created by Bob Urbani August 3 rd 2004 IntroductionIntroduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Standards | Resources | Teacher NotesTaskProcessEvaluationConclusionStandardsResources Teacher Notes 1.For this activity, the teacher should put students in groups of four. Then they can decide their own character. 2.Teacher should encourage creation of original songs and not copy one they know then change the words. Encourage songs about: school, teachers, environment, athletics, music programs. 3.In the rap they cannot say anything negative about teachers, students etc. It must be a positive rap. 4.Tell the story of your topic in a rhyme. Most raps rhyme in couplets, which means lines rhyme two at a time. Lines one and two rhyme with each other; but not with the other lines. Lines three and four rhyme with each other but not with the other lines, and so on. The two lines that rhyme together are called a couplet. 5.Tell them they may want a refrain in the music. (pass out a copy of the “Drug Free Rap” as an example or wait until they get in the computer lab to click on Rap Example to use as an example. 6.Stress that there can be NO double meaning words or grossness in the rap, and it must be positive. 7.Talk about Rubrics, they will have to come up with one to grade their performance. (note: Rubrics are now being used in Indiana as assessment tools for interdisciplinary units and for all general classes.) 8.I designed this project to be just one day in the computer lab so the teacher should do the project to prepare for Q’s and A’s before going to the lab.