Hip-Hop and Climate: Creative Writing Lesson
Created by Teacher(s): Dan Castrigano, Elaine Makarevich, Elizabeth Ward, Ben Charles|Published on: October 27, 2023
Grades: 6, 7, 8
Type: Lesson Plan
Subjects: English Language Arts, Visual and Performing Arts
Duration: 3 hours
Created by: SubjectToClimate teachers
Region: Global
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
In this lesson, students explore the intersection of music and climate change, learn about environmental connections in rap music, and create their own original rap songs.
Inquire: Students share fun facts about hip-hop, learn about hip-hop as a cultural and social movement, and view examples of hip-hop intersecting with environmental concepts.
Investigate: Students research a climate change topic and create a class rubric for evaluating student-created raps.
Inspire: Students create and share an original rap about a climate change topic as a means to express their feelings and emotions through music.
Share: This lesson plan is licensed under Creative Commons.
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Teacher Writer
Dan Castrigano
Academic Teacher at Burlington YouthBuild
Dan Castrigano taught STEM and humanities at elementary, middle, and high schools for 11 years. From 2021-2023, he served as the Chief Content Officer at SubjectToClimate. Dan advocates for climate education and organizes for climate, social, and racial justice.
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Elaine Makarevich
Chief Outreach Officer
Elaine Makarevich holds a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University and a Master of Education from East Stroudsburg University and Centenary University. She has more than 30 years of experience teaching all subjects for grades K–6, with expertise in science, Earth and Space Sciences, mathematics, engineering, computer science, English language arts, and social studies. Elaine holds Supervisor and Gifted Education certifications and currently serves as SubjectToClimate's Chief Outreach Officer, supporting educators in integrating meaningful climate education into their classrooms.
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Elizabeth Ward
Chief Product Officer
Elizabeth Ward holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Oklahoma State University. She has more than 12 years of teaching experience in Early Childhood Education, English as a Foreign Language, Science, Social Studies, and interdisciplinary education, working with kindergarten, third-grade, and multi-age learners. She holds an Oklahoma Elementary and Early Childhood Certification and is TEFL certified
Ben Charles
Chief of Partnerships and Communication
Ben Charles holds a Master's Degree in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. He has nine years of experience teaching grades 3–7 across multiple subject areas. His expertise includes interdisciplinary instruction designed to support diverse learners and foster meaningful student engagement
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
