National
Event:
“Test Tracks” TEST TRACKS is a new way for students
to learn lessons in the classroom. Combining this generation’s
enthusiasm for hip-hop, with the proven effectiveness of rhyme,
rhythm and repetition as memorization tools, Test Tracks uses
hip-hop songs to make studying effective and fun. Furthermore,
Test Tracks is an innovative and interactive method for learning
state and nationally endorsed educational content in the classroom
that seeks to invest students in the learning process. These
engaging songs use mnemonic devices, simple definitions, vivid
imagery, and humor to raise test scores and to improve academic
performance.
Grammar school classrooms where hip-hop is related to the
curriculum
Each Test Track has a teacher created and tested 5- step lesson
plan to enhance the effectiveness of the hip-hop based song.
The lesson plan enables students to participate in multiple
learning activities that will enhance their knowledge and
mastery of the subject at hand. Each lesson also includes
activities for multiple learning abilities and modalities
in order to meet the needs of all students in the classroom.
Lessons include auditory, visual, logical, kinesthetic activities,
and scaffolding and extension activities in order to solidify
the content in a manner that is creative and critical in scope.
Each song, then, is a lesson that requires students to be
active participants in the learning process. Teacher-created
assessments will also be provided for each lesson in the form
of multiple-choice tests in order to provide adequate and
applicable test prep practice. Finally, students are pushed
to be the creators of activities and new content in order
to encourage higher order thinking and to apply the concepts
in a diverse manner. In this way students not only prepare
themselves for test taking, but also become active learners
and thinkers in an academic setting through a relevant and
fun way to learn.
