4 Steps for writing academic student raps
Over the years, we have seen some amazing student rap creations through our annual rap contests. Want to have students make their own raps or videos? Here’s everything you’ll need to get started.
1. Choose a Beat
Have students check out these free Flocab beats. Once they find a favorite, right click on the beat title at the bottom of the page and click “Save Link As” to download the MP3.
2. Write lyrics
Start with our lesson plans for writing academic rhymes. You’ll learn how to lead students through writing rhymes, incorporating figurative language, and more. Have them choose their own topics or work with specific concepts from their coursework.
Students can use Lyric Lab on specific lesson with relevant vocabulary words, or select any lesson to create their own rap. With Lyric Lab, students can write raps line by line using a word rhyming generator. Once their rap is complete, they can select which beat they want to use to present their masterpiece.
3. Record
Audio
Want to record the track as an Mp3? On a Mac, students can use the free app GarageBand to record and mix their raps. They can simply drag the Flocab beat Mp3 into a new project and start rapping over it. For PC users, Audacity is a great free recorder and sound editor.
Students can stop after making the Mp3, or can take the project further. You can make a playlist of class projects in iTunes or Spotify and listen back. Students can also use the Mp3 as the audio track for their own rap music videos.
Video
There are many ways to record students’ performances. Students can use computers, smart phones, and tablets to record. The quickest, easiest way to make a video is to play the beat in the classroom and record students rapping over it. For a more in-depth project, students can record audio separately, then sync up audio and video together using free editing software.
On a Mac, you can use the video feature in the Photo Booth app that comes with the device to record. Then you can edit your movie using the free iMovie app. On a PC, you can use Windows Video Editor. Click here for a list of other free video editing tools.
4. Upload
Students can easily upload their videos to YouTube to share with the world. Click here for instructions on how to upload videos. To share audio, you can create a free account for your class on Bandcamp to share students’ videos and songs. (Provided you have parent and student permission, of course!)
It’s that simple. Students can express themselves, collaborate, practice using figurative language and learn more about a topic in one fell swoop. Share your students’ creations on social media and tag @Flocabulary to be featured. We can’t wait to see what your students come up with!