Poetry Project Day 1: Intro

Intro As long as people have stories, there will be rhythm, rap, and hip hop. When humans were beginning to develop our own language, they used rhythm : a sound and a silence. Poetry with a beat… is hip hop in a flash. One part story, one part rhythm.

Langston Hughes To fling my arms wide In some place of the sun To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done Then rest at cool evening Beneath a tall tree While night comes on gently, Dark like me — That is my dream ! Track 14

Maya Angelou One foot down, then hop ! It ’ s hot. Good things for the ones that ’ s got. Another jump, not to the left. Everybody for hisself. In the air, now both feet down. Since you black, don ’ t stick around. Food is gone, the rent is due. Curse and cry and then jump two. All the people out of work Hold for three, then twist and jerk. Cross the line, they count you out. That ’ s what hopping ’ s all about. Both feet flat, the game is done. They think I lost, I think I won. Track 25

Charles R. Smith, Jr. They call me The show stopper The dime dropper The spin - move - to - the - left Reverse jam poppa. The high flier On the high wire The intense rim - rattlin ’ Noise Amplifier. The net - shaker Back board break Creator Of the fun dunk Hip - shaker. The Man Sir Slam The Legend I be. That ’ s just a few of the names they call me. Track 15

“Def” Poetry Jams https :// www. youtube. com / watch ?v = HXQ 2 eRHklDc Daniel Beaty : Knock, Knock

Tupac Shakur Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete Proving nature ’ s laws wrong it learned 2 walk without having feet Funny it seems but by keeping its dreams It learned 2 breathe fresh air Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else even cared ! Track 29

Forever Young Fear not when, fear not why, Fear not much while we ’ re alive, Life is for living not living up tight, See ya somewhere up in the sky, Fear not die, I ' ll be alive for a million years, bye bye, So not for legends, I ' m forever young My name shall survive Through the darkest blocks, over kitchen stoves, Over Pyrex pots, my name shall be passed down to generations

Up Next… Day 2: Watching Power Point / Video and answering questions… begin writing your own. Day 3: Write your own, and pick your favorite. If time permits, open Microsoft Word, and make it fancy ! Day 4: Continue typing, if time permits, work on a second one to print.