Learn about the Week in Rap

Week in rap is a current event activity that explores stories that are happening around the world. The intention is to spark wonder in students and get them thinking on a more broad scale. This allows students to discuss their opinions respectfully while they may also disagree on a topic. This allows students to think critically and explore ideas they never thought about before. I would use this tool in the classroom depending on the rigor of the current events. I think my 9th graders would really enjoy sharing their opinions on different topics and some of them may have personal experience with some of the stories. It would be interesting to hear more often from their perspectives. 

The week in Rap on flocabulary covers current issues in The United States and around the world. It offers students a glimpse into the ¨big world" or can relate to something currently going on in their lives. Many different topics can be covered in these videos, trying to incorporate all the major events that took place that week. 

While there is a jr. version of the week in rap, Iḿ not sure I would use it in my classroom. While it is my job to educate students, some worldly topics can be sensitive to parents. Many adults have become frustrated with certain things being taught in the public classroom, so I try to stay as close to the curriculum as possible. I try to include important things (life lessons) throughout the year, but prefer to come up with my own resources and teach them my own way. 

A Week in Rap is a component of Flocabulary that focuses on 3 current event stories a week that spark meaningful, classroom discussions. These stories are often global stories that allow students to debate and ask big questions. These stories also allow students to "get a glimpse" of the world and see what is going on around them, although some of these topics may be sensitive in nature. I think this is an excellent resource to utilize in my social studies classroom. It is very important for students to learn about the world, what is happening, and how all of the events effect one another, and us! These stories will allow students to see the bigger picture, learn background information from unfamiliar topics, avoid biases, and think deeply and make connections about big concepts in the world.