Local Teacher Finds A Way To Reach Her Students Using Hip Hop [VIDEO]

A month ago a friend of mine, Renee Smith, who happens to be a math teacher at F.K. White Middle School and founder of Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue, told me she works with a teacher that's made major headway with her students using Hip Hop music.  The teacher is Michelle Dotson and of course doing what I do, I was interested in how and why she decided to implement music into her curriculum.

After speaking to Ms.Dotson, she not only had a lot to say about how music is helping her reach her children, but they her kids have gone as far as writing a rap song about learning and staying in school.  I was eager to hear more and invited her and her kids to come to the station for an interview and an opportunity to perform their song.  Ms. Dotson was more than delighted to show her kids off, so we arranged for her to bring her class on a field trip to the station.  Below is a look at how my visit with the kids "Straight Outta FKW" went down.

It was so fun to have the kids come by.  They were a little camera shy, but they really did an awesome job considering.  I am so very proud of them!  By the way, prior to coming to the station, I asked Ms. Dotson to give me a write-up on her teaching method and what she discovered and she revealed the following:

Music is used in various professional fields to encourage specific behaviors, manipulate moods, and change settings. Restaurants, stores, coffee shops, professional lounges, and even movies play different genres of music to incite specific emotions or feelings. Understanding that music influences emotion and behavior, teachers should be well aware that employing music strategies within the classroom could be beneficial. Studies concerning the use of music and mood regulation in students support the use of music to stabilize mood and improve motivation (Saarikallio & Erkkila 2007).

Music is used within my classroom to first captivate students’ attention. My students feel that some of information that is presented within their classrooms is irrelevant to their lives. For that reason, teachers must find a way to make the information culturally relevant. Cultural relevance can be attained through tapping into what is enjoyed or desired by the students. I do this by using rap or hip hop as a tool to draw them in. If the beat is nice they’ll be singing or rapping along before they realize they are learning. This strategy also helps with retention. Once I gave a test after the students wrote a rap about a specific topic. Each student was mouthing the lyrics to the song while taking the test. The scores indicated growth.

Music is used within my classroom as a form of creativity and emotional release. I provide journal prompts, student choice creative writing, and research activities along with numerous instrumentals which allow the students to show off their creativity. These activities also encourage positive self-esteem. The end result of these activities is students perform their songs/raps to their classmates. Each performance is ended with applause and compliments from their peers.  The students brag on each other, share in each other’s success, and are generally proud of their own success.

In my classroom, music is an instructional tool that engages, motivates, and builds self-esteem. Music, specifically hip-hop, helps my classroom be culturally relevant which heightens the attention of the students. Music helps me provide a comfortable environment that encourages the students’ abilities and builds their confidence. With a strong sense of self confidence and positive self-esteem my students believe that anything is possible.

Saarikallio, S., & Erkkilä, J. (2007). The role of music in adolescents' mood regulation. Psychology of music, 35(1), 88-109.

Whatever the teaching method, all teachers desire a way to reach their kids.  Ms. Dotson has discovered how to do just that with her students and their grades and behavior have improved dramatically.  There's no denying that all rap or Hip Hop lyrics are not always the best or most positive to listen to.  Yet there are many songs and artists that promote happiness, take a positive political stance and offer teachable and inspiring words of encouragement.

For Ms. Dotson to find a happy median and get her students excited about learning through music...I applaud her.  At the end of the day, her kids are learning, their grades great, their behavior is awesome and that makes for a successful school year.  To Ms. Dotson, thank you for sharing your story.  You are a role model not only to your students, but also other teachers.  To FKW students, thank you for having the courage to share your song.  Stay on track and know that you can achieve anything you put your mind to, as long as you believe in yourselves.