I Hear My Classroom Singing Poetry, Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes And Music Poetry, Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes And Music

“ I Hear America Singing ” and “ I, Too, Sing America ” Personal Playlist  Since music plays such a crucial role in so many students' lives - and can closely relate to poetry - students will be asked to take an inventory of their musical tastes and produce a 10-song personal playlist.

Goals  The playlist will consist of 10 songs.  The title, artist, album, and release date of each song should be included and will function as the entry's title.  Students can decorate the page with the album's artwork or other image that further illustrates the point.  Students will provide a half-page "rationale" for each song's inclusion.  The playlist will consist of 10 songs.  The title, artist, album, and release date of each song should be included and will function as the entry's title.  Students can decorate the page with the album's artwork or other image that further illustrates the point.  Students will provide a half-page "rationale" for each song's inclusion.

Rationales  Rationales should make connections to the self, to America, and/or to other themes in the poetry. A student can, for example, pick a song like "Dear Mama" by 2Pac, and, since the song deals with the problems of the inner city, discuss how it relates to the plight of the common American today. The student could also make connections to how the song's content about America differs from that of Whitman's.

Sample Text  Artist: TuPac Shakur  Title: "Dear Mama" (1995)  Album: Me Against the World  Artist: TuPac Shakur  Title: "Dear Mama" (1995)  Album: Me Against the World

Lyrics  Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair  No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there  I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs  They showed a young brother love  Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair  No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there  I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs  They showed a young brother love

Rationale  The lines of "Dear Mama" show and represent a different America than Walt Whitman knew. As opposed to "I Hear America Singing", Tupac Shakur's "Dear Mama" talks about the problems of modern America, in which not everyone has a job and where poverty is rampant.

Rationale Continued  There is a distinct contrast here because Tupac describes a world positively where there may not be much positivity, while Whitman, in "I Hear America Singing", describes positively the working class without acknowledging the downside. Tupac finds a way to connect to the world, even if it's with "thugs".

Page Layout  Two rationales may be presented on a single sheet of paper.  Two lines from each song should be presented with the rationale, either above or below it, and the lines should further illuminate song choice.  Students are encouraged but not required to use lines from poetry to reinforce their points.  Students can choose songs from different genres, artists, and use various topics.  Two rationales may be presented on a single sheet of paper.  Two lines from each song should be presented with the rationale, either above or below it, and the lines should further illuminate song choice.  Students are encouraged but not required to use lines from poetry to reinforce their points.  Students can choose songs from different genres, artists, and use various topics.