The term ‘poetry in motion’ has been applied to many things over the years, however we’re confident that it has found its true calling in describing the art of rapping. Combining the convention, structure, and language of literature with the dynamic performance style more commonly found in a dance studio, rapping makes a compelling case to be considered a powerful multi-disciplinary field of study in its own right. Hip Hop has suffered from an often undeserved bad reputation, but that’s in the past and students at Crescent Heights High School, Robert Thirsk High School, Joane Cardinal-Schubert High School and Central Memorial High School are excited to diminish the negative stigma of Hip Hop, and demonstrate how it can be used as an educational tool through a competitive rap battle.

Each school will host a Rap Battle Club where students can receive instruction and training on performance, rhythm, rhyming structure, and language usage. Success in the competition will rely heavily on students’ mastery of active debate, complex thinking, deep questioning, and ability to document their experiences, beliefs and emotions through poetry. It is a collaborative, energetic academic initiative that not only encourages critical thinking, but also helps hone communication skills to provide our future leaders with the ability to both form and present thoughtful, well-researched, clear ideas.

The cost to run the program in all 4 schools is $3,500. This covers Rap Battle Club training sessions with local writers, performers, and hip-hop artists; venue cost for the final competition; and any material needed for the final performance.

Music has always been an effective way to engage students in learning, and this specific project will create appeal to students who struggle to participate in classrooms where the instruction is mostly uni-modal and one-dimensional. Please make a gift today! Your support will enhance student learning and development in visual arts, performing arts and language, as well as increasing their confidence and competence in communicating their ideas. It will also provide new ways for students to get engaged with current topics and get the most out of their education.

“If you’re like me, it can get boring sitting in class looking at a Powerpoint, but if you’re rapping about it and you’re putting it in music and just having fun with it, it just sticks with you a lot more,” says a Robert Thirsk High School student to CTV News.

The Rap Battle Club competition will take place in April 2020, with club meetings officially beginning after the Holidays; students have until the end of December to raise the necessary funds for their program to allow them to compete in the April 2020 competition.

Here is a video clip of students from Robert Thirsk High School competing during Beakerhead’s Science Genius Rap Battle to whet your appetite of things to come: