Student teacher uses rap lyrics as learning tool

 
 
 
SPOKANE – Want your kids to learn vocabulary words from rap songs? You do if Adam Barry is their teacher.

Rap is Barry’s favorite type of music. When he became a full-time student teacher in January, he developed VocabuBarry, which uses rap lyrics to introduce sixth graders to new words.

 
He plays the songs in teacher Christine Lounsbury’s class at Sheridan Elementary. Students follow along with a notebook that lists lyrics. They analyze the words, circle the ones they don’t know and look up the meanings.
 
“The grammar in the songs isn’t always the best, but the lessons are easier for students to understand,” Barry said.
 
Barry is enrolled in Washington State University’s master in teaching program. He wants to be an elementary school physical education teacher.
 
He earned his undergraduate degree at WSU in movement studies. But, if VocabuBarry is any indication, his real calling may be as an English teacher.

Reading, writing, rhythmatic

Sheridan staff members go out of their way to praise Barry, mentioning his positive energy. His students feel the same way. When it comes to VocabuBarry lessons, Lounsbury said, “kids can’t wait to dive into what the song is really about.”

That motivational ability is crucial, said Leslie Hall, a clinical associate professor in the WSU Department of Teaching and Learning who is supervising Barry.
 
“Some of the students he works with are two or three grade levels behind in reading,” she said. “But he has them going through these rap lyrics, asking them what the author’s implying. He’s got them puzzling out words. And the kids will sit there for 45 minutes without moving a muscle.”
 
The students not only read the lyrics, they’re writing them too.

Even though rap music is often laced with violent and sexual lyrics, Barry insists that his students’ work be clean. They work in groups of two and three, writing and rewriting until they’re satisfied.

 
Then they perform their work for their classmates. Sometimes Barry will join them in performing.
 
Fulfilling dreams
 
Two of Barry’s childhood friends from the Tri-Cities are rap artists. He recently invited them to perform for his students.
 
“We hear bullying is a very big issue here,” rapper Devaunte Wright told the sixth graders at a school assembly.
 
Then his partner, Skylar Lamb, began rapping a song that encouraged the community to unite to stop bullying: “Ain’t nothing wrong with a helping hand … Dreams do come true when we stand together.”
 
Wright, Lamb and Isaac Butts – collectively known as “Wake Up” – encouraged the students to identify their dreams and work hard to fulfill them.

After Barry receives his teacher certification in May, he hopes to find a classroom of his own to lead. When he does, he’ll continue to use rap as a teaching tool – whether he’s teaching vocabulary or volleyball.

 
“Rapping helps connect kids with life lessons,” he said. “It’s a good confidence builder.”