Mansfield, OH – Forget Mother Goose and nursery rhymes, preschoolers at Madison Early Childhood Learning Center are taking learning to the next level. On Thursday, Brian Holland, a first-grade teacher at Pickerington Local Schools, brought “Hip-Hop-ademics” to the Bahl Avenue school, using rap music to get students on their feet.

Through his fun lyrics and energetic dance moves, Holland was able to incorporate preschool state standards into his program.

“Some stuff doesn’t change, but I’m always adding new material,” he said. “Over the years, I’ve added math and character education to the show. Hip hop has really taken over the music industry, and it’s a great way to get some of educational information into their heads.”

Holland said the beat and rhythm of rap music is great for learning.

“I had kids coming into school who didn’t know their addition and subtraction, but they’d hear a rap song once and know every word,” he said. “I hope this will help them see that learning can be fun.”

Holland started right in with a song.

“I’m askin’ you to wave your hands in the air like you just don’t care,” he said. “We’re gonna learn our ABC’s and practice our 123′s! Throw your hands in the air and open your mouth and say, ‘Oh yeah!’ ”

“Oh yeah!” students and teachers shouted back.

“Are you smart out there?” he asked them. “Do you know your ABC’s? I want you to sing it for me.”

After a round of the traditional version, Holland kicked it up a notch by having them add stomps and an edgier tone to the song.

Students laughed as Holland, who held a deck of ABC cards in his hand, tossed the appropriate card in the air as he called it out.

When the song was through, Holland taught them a song they would use after each new lesson.

“I want you to, ‘Pat, pat, pat on your back, back, back, for a job well done. Toot! Toot!’ ” he said.

School Director Yvette Givand said special programs like Thursday’s are brought to the school every month.

“We like to have live performances to teach readiness skills,” she said. “We want to expand on their classroom knowledge, and these are fun ways to help them remember what they’ve been taught. This is neat because everyone here can participate, and (they) don’t have to worry about feeling like they didn’t do it right.”

Givand said Holland has been recognized on the state and national level for his unique approach to education.

“I think he’s awesome,” she said. “He understands kids and how they develop. They seem to be able to retain more when their lessons are presented through hip hop. In today’s world, we’ve always got to be thinking outside the box — especially when it comes to education.”

Holland also taught the children about the four seasons.

“It’s so cool,” said Makenzee Webb, 5. “I like rap music. I like to sing and stuff.”

“It’s cool,” said Edwin White, 5.

“He just loves it,” Webb said. “He was dancing. I saw him.”

Parent Amanda Hudson smiled from the sidelines as she watched the program.

“This looks awesome, and he’s really got the attention of the kids,” she said. “I never thought of rap with kids, but you can never rule anything out when it deals with education.”

Teacher Bricia Huckleberry said she appreciated the program on a number of levels.

“First I think it’s neat that the kids are being exposed to a difficult type of music,” she said. “Also, this is a great way for them to learn their numbers and shapes. It’s good for them to get up and moving, too. I’d say it’s probably one of the best programs that’s been brought into our school.”

A second music culture was exposed at the conclusion of the program.

“Can you say, ‘Ah, ah, ah, ah, I did a good job. I did a good job,’ ” Holland sang to the tune of the Bee Gees’ song, “Stayin’ Alive.”

“It was fun,” said Nakyriah Williams, 4. “I like his singing.”

Source:
Mansfield News Journal