R's Rap

One of the boys in my fifth hour class last year (I LOVE that it's summer now and I can say "last year" - even though it was just last week!) was one of those wild and crazy types. During my poetry unit, I play ABBA's "Money, Money, Money" and we compare the lyrics to Edwin Arlington Robinson's poem "Richard Cory." It's a great lesson that usually goes over pretty well with kids. This particular kid asked if he could sing the song to the class, and I said sure. He backed out, of course, because I think he was expecting me to tell him no.

After that, I periodically offered him random chances to "sing us a little song...extra credit if you throw in a dance move or two!" He always turns me down.

On the last day I had that class, he asked if he could rap for the class. I, of course, said sure, but that I wanted to proofread / approve the lyrics before he did it. He said that was fair and got busy writing his own rap about English class.

He gave me the lyrics, I approved them, and guess what he did? He chickened out again.

Oh, well. He was really excited when I pinned the lyrics to my bulletin board where I put student pictures and notes.

Here, for your viewing pleasure, are the lyrics to the nonsensical rap that the public will never hear. (I particularly like his last two lines...I thought they were the most clever!)


Mrs. Hocking,
This class was so cool!
If you did not like it you’re a fool
Who always drools.
Writing poems was the worst part,
I would have rather got run over by a go kart.
We had this class fifth hour,
And now that it is over it feels sour.
Romeo and Juliet made no sense.
Exactly why did Tybalt like to fence?
Now that the year is at a close,
It’s time to reel in the hose,
And I have to say "bye" to my bros.
See you later Mrs. Hocking,
My sophomore year is a knocking.


RH