Hi Rappers!
Welcome to the To Kill a Mockingbird novel and film rap. (That is a
mouthful!)
My name is Mr Bowie and I teach at Dulwich High in inner-city Sydney. Our
school is co- educational and numbers 347 students, 10% of whom are
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. I'll be co-ordinating this excellent
rap with Mr Nethercote from Ambervale High School in south-western Sydney.
We extend a very special welcome to our country cousins in Sunraysia, the
Coomie Rappers of Coomealla High, and to the dudes from Airds High near
Campbeltown . (We hope the rap will have more to interest you than racism.
Don’t forget Calpurnia was black, and Zeebo, and Helen Robinson… but hey,
that’s an issue for later isn’t it?).They are the first cabs of the rank.
Other schools are still most welcome to join the rap- the more the merrier!
Just remember to subscribe and then send a brief introductory message. This
could be sent before, or with your response to Rap Point 1.
Welcome aboard for what promises to be a pretty challenging four weeks.
Here are a few reminders before we move on to this week’s Rap Point 1.
Remember to send your Introductory Message and all future To Kill a
Mockingbird novel and film rap student messages to this email address:
mockingbird_rap@list.schools.nsw.edu.au
Please send only one message from your school class. (Short messages are
best!). Put as your subject: " Introducing <school name> ".
All messages sent to this students' list will automatically have the prefix
"Mockingbird rap" in the subject line for easy identification; there is no
need for you to type this.
It would be very useful for other rappers, if you could provide some
information about your class / group, where your school is located, its size
and any special features about your school. Please send only one message on
behalf of your class / group. After reading other schools' introductory
messages, you may wish to locate them on a printed Rap map.
Perhaps during this past week, you have refreshed your understanding of the
book and film too.
Now for the moment we have all been awaiting- Rap Point 1!
Rap point 1 (commencing Monday 27 October 2003)
Focus question
How heroic is Atticus as he battles prejudice?
Prejudice is a major theme in To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus is usually seen
as the figure who struggles heroically against the town’s prejudice,
asserting the values of truth, justice and freedom in a world given over to
lies, prejudice and restriction.
Do Atticus’ strategies work?
Remember, he loses the court case, cannot save Tom Robinson and nearly loses
both of his children. Nonetheless he is seen as the embodiment of noble and
heroic qualities: he is wise, calm, thoughtful, considerate, brave and
capable.
What kind of a hero is he, then?
Other characters also have heroic qualities: Judge Taylor, Boo Radley, Jem,
Scout and Dill, Calpurnia, Mr Underwood, Tom Robinson and Helen Robinson.
Are they actual heroes, or just brave people?
We look forward to reading your introductions, your responses to this rap
point and to learning more about your schools.
Happy rapping!
Mr Bowie, The Big Rapper.
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