Is Teaching Hip-Hop In The Classroom Wrong?

Is there anything wrong with using songs to teach students how to use metaphors? Charter School of Boynton Beach believe there is something wrong. A teacher in Florida has been suspended for giving students Lil Wayne lyrics to study in an attempt to teach the 8^th grade class about metaphors. The news has been reported by CBS Tampa Bay, reporting the school had suspended the teacher for three days after printing out the lyrics to rapper Lil Wayne’s explicit song, “Six Foot Seven Foot,” to study and explain.

As expected there was an outrage from the parents. Now getting children to explain song lyrics with several meanings is a good and innovative way to understand metaphors, however, surely the song selection needs to fit the age group. Yes pick a complex song, “Six Foot Seven Foot” is a tricky song with various metaphors, however, is it not too explicit for young teens?

The teacher had the right thought, but the wrong actions. This could be a new teaching concept for methods of learning the English language. Understanding a complexed rap song is down to understanding how metaphors are used. Using a source which would interest the students was good idea. Students would probably prefer to study Kanye West lyrics than Shakespeare. Although Shakespeare isn’t the easiest to grasp, many can understand the concepts created and language skills used, however, some may not and this could be a knock on effect towards their grades.

This teacher shouldn’t be fired, they could be on to something which could change the way of teaching. They should however, be supervised because it is doubtfully anyone would want their child casually saying “Two bitches at the same time, synchronized swimmers”. Maybe the school system could look into introducing Hip-Hop/music lyric studies into the English curriculum.