Increasing Language Development Through Rhythm

My objective is to determine if rhythm and rap can
help increase language development in an urban
elementary classroom. To determine this outcome
I created a pre/post assessment cycle design using
vocabulary relevant to the water cycle. Participants
included 18 first graders at Park Lakes Elementary.
These students took a pretest, were involved in 5
rhythm and rap based lessons, and a posttest. The
lessons included videos, vocabulary reviews, and
finally the development of a song to help reinforce
the vocabulary terms and their meanings. A pop
culture song from Justin Bieber was used to make
connections to their everyday lives. All 18 students
passed the posttest as compared to the pretest results.
Therefore, I concluded that the rhythm and rap
approach to teaching vocabulary was successful. I
intend to use this technique with future vocabulary
lessons to predict future improvement in the ELA area
of the Florida Standardized Assessments.