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Think you dont have the time to do a rap?
click here Ideas
 
Current and future raps
 
Past Raps
What is a rap? What is a rap?
A rap is a discussion about a text, video or topic using emails, listservs, web logs (or ‘blogs’) and/or wikis.
Why do we do raps? Why do we do raps?
Raps involve practical use of ICTs in a meaningful context to communicate with a real audience.

Raps are a modern and engaging variation of the study of a topic or text.
Who is involved? Who is involved?
Students and their teacher-librarians and/or teachers, in high schools or primary schools, are involved. Schools really benefit from participating in raps because of the meaningful contact the students and teachers have with other schools. This communication enriches learning.
How much time will it take?

How much time will it take?
Ideally, about three or four lessons a week, for five or six weeks, depending on the rap.

Ideas for teacher librarians who may not have this time.
Who writes raps? Who writes raps?
Teachers, teacher librarians and curriculum consultants, working together.
Who reads and responds to student's emails Who reads and responds to students’ emails or blog comments
Other rappers read the messages. The rap coordinator guides and encourages participants.

Participants can also respond to messages from other class groups.
What sort of technology is required? What sort of technology is required?
Internet access to at least one computer and a class group email address or blog identity. For more information, contact the rap coordinator.
How would the technology be used?

How would the technology be used?
Computers are needed for word processing, accessing online support resources and websites.

Only one student needs to upload the class/group response, so not every student needs computer access for this purpose.

A data projector hooked up to a computer in the library or classroom, or an electronic whiteboard, would be a great addition so the whole class can see the rap projected on the screen.

Using the computers in the library, in collaboration with the teacher librarian, would be a great way to teach the rap.

Activity sheets can be printed.
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Should I join the teacher rap?

Should I join the teacher support rap blog?
Yes. The teacher rap blog offers support to other teachers involved in the rap. It is a separate forum where particular aspects about the rap may be discussed and professional expertise can be shared. It allows for professional discussion.
How do students post a response to the rap? How do students post a response to the rap?
You will have registered to the rap by sending the class email address and creating a blog identity. Prepare the response to the week’s work (the Rap point). Go to URL for the blog, which is in the welcome email message you received when you registered. Upload the class response to the Comments section attached to the relevant rap point.
What is rap map?

What is a rap map?
A map which is printed and then displayed in the classroom for plotting the geographical locations of the schools involved in the rap.

Find an example of a map. Students may use this to identify and locate selected schools participating in the rap.

Online, interactive maps are also available, such as Google Maps
What is rap lingo?

What is rap lingo?
Here is an explanation of some of the terms you may find used in the rap.

Rap blog

an online discussion about a book or video etc

Rappers 

the people involved in the rap

Rap map

a map marking other rappers’ locations

Rap point

a topic, issue or event to discuss by email, blogs or wikis

Rap record

printout of email or blog exchanges

Rap reflections

sheets for rappers to reflect on their experiences and skills

Rap rep

the person typing the responses

Rap reporters

the people relaying rap news to others

Rap rules

guidelines of a rap discussion

Rap sheets 

work sheets

Rap wrap up

final message about a rap

What do you do now?

What do you do now?

  • Read through the rap materials and click on the hyperlinks; print off any rap sheets (work sheets or information sheets) which you may need.
  • Register your class group to the rap by filling in the registration box on the first page of the rap with the class email address and select a username (blog identity).
  • Go back and register yourself a different free username for the teacher rap blog. (You do not have to choose “Gimme a blog”.)
  • You will receive a welcome message
  • Read this very carefully and note the URLs to be usedwhen group comments are uploaded to the rap.
  • Work through the activities in Program & planning.
  • Prepare the jointly-constructed response to the rap point for that week.
Post the response to the Comments section of the week’s rap point.


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© School Libraries and Information Literacy - 2007 NSW Department of Education and Training
May 4, 2009
Neals Copyright State of New South Wales through the Department of Education and Training, 2007.
This work may be freely reproduced and distributed for personal, educational or government purposes. Permission must be received from the Department for all other uses. Licensed Under NEALS