Hip hop was one of those things that came to me at a time when I needed it the most.
~ words from Latasha that keep us thinking and wondering ~
Not hers. Not yours. People are always more than the chapters anyone could share. Hold what is here gently. Approach with curiosity, before judgment.
Notice what you notice. Wonder what you wonder. There is no quiz, no right way. Read until something stays.
this film has no words. notice what you notice. notice what you wonder. wonder out loud. and don't forget to notice what you feel, too.
Speaking Of Home
Do you agree that it is “not fair” to stereotype people? Why or why not? Do you think it is more hurtful to the person whom you are judging, or to yourself, or maybe both? What are some ways you can explain to others how damaging stereotyping can be?
I’ve always lived in New York, but my friend came to my state from the other side of the country. Have you ever visited or moved to an unfamiliar place? What was that experience like?
Have you ever tried to explain something to a friend and it seemed like they did not understand you or how you felt because they have had different experiences in life than you? Can you tell me a little bit about what that was like? Did you feel frustrated? Were you confused because you didn’t know why they saw things differently? How do you think your friend felt?
I just looked up the prices for flights from New York to Puerto Rico, which is my first destination in my dream trip. The cost of the ticket is $195 with a great discount I found. From there, I want to go to Panama. That ticket costs $264, which is also with a good deal. How much total do I need to save for that first part of my trip? If I have $500 saved, how much will I have left over after buying these two tickets? How could you break these numbers down into hundreds, tens and ones? Why might that be useful?
The word “home” means so many things to different people. I’m curious, how do you define “home”? Are there any places that are different from the exact place where you live that you still think of as “home”? Why is that?
Do you ever wonder what the future is going to look like? When you think about it, how does it make you feel? Excited? Nervous?
Can you describe to me what a “perfect” future looks like to you? Do you think it might happen? What are some actions you can do to help make it a reality?
Want to create a calm and focused space to start the conversation? Set up desks or chairs in a circle and start the session with 2 minutes of collective silence.
“What does ‘home’ mean to you?” Encourage students to shout out words that come to mind when they hear “home.” Do your best to keep up and write all the words down in a place where all students can see it.
Then ask for silence. “Looking at these words, does it seem like home is a physical place? Or is it more of a feeling?” In this lesson you’ll be exploring how the words we use can affect how we feel about the topic and thinking critically about “home.”
First, watch the video I am Latasha. “Now we’re going to learn about how Latasha thinks of home! I wonder what similarities and differences we will notice between her concept of home and ours?!” Then read, Latasha on Differences in Backgrounds.
Latasha describes how her hometown is more than just a location, it has also influenced her growth and how she sees the world. She explains that she has lived in a place (New York City, United States) for so long, that she experiences it differently from someone who is new to the area. Ask the group to think about their own relationship to the place that they call home. “How might it be impacting who you are? What do you think someone new would think about this place? If they called it ‘stupid,’ how would you feel? What about if they called it ‘beautiful’?” “The words that we use to describe a place or a thing lets others know what we think about it. The words that we use can also have an impact on us, and using positive or negative wording can affect how we feel. Can you think of examples of this?” If students do not think of an example, consider using this one: On the board, write ‘homeless person’ and ‘person experiencing homelessness’. Ask your students if there is a difference, and if so, what is it. There might not seem like a huge difference between the two, but the first one is phrased so that it is descriptive of the person, as if not having a house is a part of who they are; the second sounds more like not having a home is something that they are going through at the moment, but is not who they are as a person. “Which words do you think this person would prefer you use? Why? How might you feel differently about that person depending on which you say? Does it change your perspective on them?”
Practice adding and subtracting three-digit numbers while thinking about saving money and ancestors. Latasha is planning a trip to visit all the countries where her ancestors have lived.
By helping calculate total costs of plane tickets and money left over, students can practice different strategies for adding and subtracting 2- and 3-digit numbers. To think about place value, you could ask students to break down the numbers they calculate into hundreds, tens and ones. “Why might this be useful for Latasha?” One potential answer, is that it will help her count her money. You could also facilitate a conversation around saving money. “Is there something really important to you for which you’re saving money? Why is that thing important to you? What are some good tips for saving money?”
Latasha encourages us to celebrate differences. So, throw a class party! First, let each student reflect individually on something that makes them different and unique from others in the class.
Each student can write down this word on a slip of paper, anonymously or with their name on it. During the party, read out each “difference” and celebrate it in a creative manner - maybe with a special class cheer, or throwing a balloon.
This is one way to teach this story. You could also weave your own way, threading two or three other people the AI finds for you alongside.
Want to weave a full lesson around this story?
The weaver finds 3-4 real people whose stories thread together with this one.
Weave a lesson →Music means different things to different people. Let me tell you a little bit about how I fell in love with my kind of music. Hip hop was one of those things that came to me at a time when I needed it the most. When I was 16 years old, I lost someone really important to me. My boyfriend, who wanted to be a rapper and a poet and who had his whole life in front of him, died. At the time, hip hop was something that I listened to, but it didn’t hold a whole lot of meaning for me. I had so much pain in my heart when he was gone and I didn’t know how to deal with it.
This was such a difficult time in my life, and I was feeling so much, but I didn’t even know how to tell people about it because I didn’t understand it myself.
Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t know how to handle your emotions?
Do you ever feel like you are alone, or like no one understands what you are going through?
When that happens, what do you do?
I remember during that time, I would write a lot of poetry to try and sort through what I was feeling. It felt like it was the only thing that helped me heal, and so I kept writing and writing and writing. This became my response to all the things that I’ve ever wondered about and have struggled to understand. Now I write about my experiences and environment, as well as my joys and hopes for the future. No topic is off limits, and the process is constantly evolving. Sometimes it produces more questions than answers, but that helps me grow even more because it makes me dig even deeper into my emotions. Ultimately my work is a response to finding things out about myself. It’s a response to my being.
Writing helped me think about and reflect on what was going on both around me and inside of me.
Do you have some favorite ways to express yourself and what you are going through?
What do you do?
How does it make you feel?
I brought to college with me my passion for expressing myself through poetry. The only thing wrong was that I felt like nobody understood me. I would write papers for class, and my teachers would say that my writing is too poetic. I was told that I don’t know how to write a formal essay, and that I must not have had a good education in the past. They didn’t realize that this was how I told my story, in my own words. It was so frustrating. I went to a writing program at my school, and they told me, “Write what relates to you.” Then it clicked, because what related to me was hip hop. In my essays, I started writing about topics like the connection between music and society, and would study famous rappers and let their words inspire me.
Have you ever been given advice that you really valued?
What was it about?
How did it help you?
Have you ever used something you care about to help you overcome obstacles, like I’ve done with writing?
What did you do?
Even after college, I continue to write every day, and I use a notebook to keep track of all of my thoughts. Usually, it takes me about 20 minutes to write 1 page. If on Monday I write 3 pages, about how much time have I spent writing? And if on Tuesday I write 2 more pages than I did on Monday, how much time did I spent writing on Tuesday? I spend a lot of time writing! What is something you like spending a lot of time on? Why do you think that is?
Now, I have a chance to share my story with others through hip hop. Performing in public, especially in a place like New York City (United States), is the beginning of something incredible because I’ll be able to reach even more people. Even though I feel like this is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing with my life, I still get nervous before I perform. Usually on the day of a show, I get to the venue really early to practice my performance with my DJ and dancers before my audience arrives. We don’t go all out during this dress rehearsal so we can conserve some energy, but we make sure that we are all confident in what we will be doing on stage. Another artist usually performs right before my set, so during that time I pray with my team and then I step onto the stage. I blank out and just let the music take over. The male dancer who is with me is really good at freestyling, and he translates my lyrics into movement. It’s really cool how there is this male energy being shared through motion and this female energy being shared through the microphone, because a lot of shows have it the other way around. I like to challenge what people think art is and how it should be performed.
Have you ever done something a little different than what is considered “normal”?
Why did you choose to do it that way?
How did people respond?
I’m grateful for the chance to connect with others through my music, because this is way bigger than me. Yes it’s my story, but I’m hoping to reach so many people. Community is so important because at some point or another, everyone needs support. Honestly, sometimes being an artist can feel pretty lonely. But when I have my people around me, it changes everything. When others feel the same vibrations as me, that’s amazing. It’s a deep and true connection.
Have you ever felt a connection to a certain type of music, one that just “gets” you?
What are some ways that you support those around you?
When you encourage others, how does that make you feel?
Ask students to help arrange chairs in a circle (if in-person) and then begin with 2-minutes of collective silence. Or do some group stretches! Looking for ideas? Reach out anytime
Begin this lesson with an attention-catching activity involving music. Choose two or three songs from different styles of music, perhaps something local, classical and hip-hop.
As a class, listen to each song one-by-one. After each song, invite students to share what they feel. You could ask, “What do you think the singer/songwriter was feeling here? What might they be thinking about? What emotions do you feel listening to this?” After the class has listened to all three, ask students to share which “they felt most connected to and why.” In this lesson you’ll be exploring self expression.
Watch the video, I am Latasha. “What do you think is going on in Latasha’s life?” To learn more, read the learning journey story, Latasha & the Power of Self Expression.
Latasha begins by sharing about a time in her life where she felt really alone and how it led her to music and writing. In the story you’ll find text in green offering discussion question suggestions. Point out to students, “What Latasha is talking about is called self expression. Is this a new idea for you? What might she mean? Why might this be important?” After gauging your student’s understanding of ‘self-expression,’ consider offering examples of different types of self expression: singing, dancing, drawing, writing. You could find tangible examples to share, or simply talk about these examples with your students. “Think of a time in your life where you felt a lot of emotion, or perhaps felt alone. What do you do about it? Now, imagine one of these forms of self expression we’ve talked about...how does it make you feel? How might it be helpful in that tough situation?” Consider creating 15 minutes/day in the classroom that is open for “self expression” time.
Let's think about how much time Latasha spends writing and practice repeated addition, adding with two-digit numbers, and word problems with “more” and “fewer.” In her written story, Latasha talks about how much time she spends writing daily.
This provides a great opportunity to practice repeated addition and to explore student’s understanding of “more” and “fewer.” Feel free to add in additional “more” and “fewer” scenarios for additional practice. Within this exercise, you’ll also be able to introduce or review addition with 2-digit numbers. Encourage students to use a drawing to help them think about this tricky exercise. They could even create a calendar and write-in how many pages and minutes Latasha writes each day.
To debrief, ask your students to share, “What is something you love spending a lot of time on?
How is this a form of self expression?” Consider encouraging them to think of a creative way to ‘express themselves’ in response to this question -- perhaps they write, draw, or do an interpretive dance describing something they love.
This is one way to teach this story. You could also weave your own way, threading two or three other people the AI finds for you alongside.
Want to weave a full lesson around this story?
The weaver finds 3-4 real people whose stories thread together with this one.
Weave a lesson →Best Me
Hey, do you have a minute? Come take a seat and let’s chat. I’m just hanging out, thinking about how life is kind of a collection of moments, that sometimes don’t make sense until later. I’ve decided that’s OK. You don’t always need everything to be crystal clear, right? The best you can do is live in your own style and make sense out of your own purpose.
For me? I am community. I am my people. Connecting with the world, that’s my reason for being here. I am the girl who sits on the stoop, watches the world, and has superpowers. I am a woman, a friend, and an artist– sometimes in that order, sometimes not. I tell my story and empower people through that story. That’s where it’s at for me.
I’ll let you know more about my “superpowers” soon, but I’ve been wanting to ask: Have you ever struggled to make sense of things in your life too?
Do you understand everything that happens to you?
Have you ever wondered what your story is about, or what is your purpose?
My superpowers are my voice and my story – what makes them “super” is how they are one of a kind. That, and the fact that they promote light. Me, I’ve found that music is a way to heal, both for myself and for those around me. I love hip hop, you know I do. I respect how it brings people together and gives them a platform to express themselves.
I try and let my music speak for itself. The whole bragging, “I’m the best ever” thing is not for me. I don’t have time for that. I’m trying to get people to have a soul again, you know what I mean? I want to use hip hop in that light. I’m not in it for the ego at all.
Tell me about some of your “super powers.
” Do you use them for yourself, or share them with your friends and family?
Growing up, I was told that as a black girl from Brooklyn, New York, I was destined for a certain kind of life. I would have to be “regular” to be successful. I would have to fit in to survive. My “job” was to be this stereotype that others had picked out for me, without even knowing me. My mom worked in an office. The man who was the father figure in my life made some poor choices, as the work he did was illegal. Those were the two sides of my life, those two different realities.
But my mom refused for me to get sucked into his lifestyle, and I couldn’t see myself working for someone else at a desk. Not that there is anything wrong with that, that’s not what I mean, but every day she would say she’s going to get up and do something different, but she’s still there. It’s been 20 years and she’s still there. I refuse to do that with my life. I refuse to be caught up somewhere where I feel like I’m not growing and learning.
Have you ever felt like others wanted you to act a certain way?
What do you do when people judge you before they know you?
What do you think are some expectations society has for you?
Do you agree with them?
Why or why not?
My mom’s work day is pretty predictable. She works 5 hours before lunch and 3 hours after lunch. Can you use a number line to show how many hours she works in a day? If I tell you she takes her lunch from 1p-2p, what time does she start work? And end work? Can you draw these times on a clock?
Now, what if I told you in one week she works 40 hours and in the next three weeks she works 120. How many hours does she work in a whole month? Can you imagine doing that your whole life in a job you don’t love?
I try to live my life in a way that’s not just for me. It’s for my mom, for my aunt, for the girls that see me perform my music, and for the boys who respect others. I want to change minds. I need them to see that they don’t have to be what they’ve been told to be. I’m not trying to sit here and say I’m trying to be the best rapper alive. I’m trying to be the best me alive. You know what I mean? My goal is to keep being a better me.
Who are some people that have had a big impact on your life?
Who do you think you influence with your actions?
Have you ever felt like you were destined for something bigger than the world around you could even imagine?
What does your ‘best me’ look like?
There was a time where I wasn’t living in my happiness. I was so afraid because people would tell me I had to do this or that, and I didn’t know if I was living up to their expectations. But I made a commitment to fully pursue myself, and that meant pursuing my music. Is it easy? Of course not. But what is easy?
Even with my struggles, I take time to appreciate the little things, and that keeps me grounded. I’m grateful for my health. I’m grateful for my home. I’m grateful for having a good meal on my table. My affirmations look like this now. But my affirmations haven’t always been this way. There was a time where I wanted to escape everything I knew. I felt distanced and unloved. Now I’m practicing looking at the world around me in a positive light. I’m taking all that negativity and finding the beauty in things, even if it’s not always easy.
Do you ever find it difficult to recognize what you’re grateful for?
What are some ways to remember the gifts that you have in your life?
Can you make a list of the “little things” that you sometimes don’t appreciate, but are really important?
When students go home at the end of the day, ask them to talk with someone important in their life about this same "best me" topic. What does that person's "best me" look like? Learners can draw them a picture as inspiration, or find another art form (poetry? music? dance?) to express in everyone's unique way! Just as Latasha does through her music.
“What does your best you look like?” Remind students you don’t mean physically, but rather how we act, speak, and all together "show up" in the world. Provide a couple of examples of you showing up as your "best self".
Begin by watching the video of Latasha above. “What might be some superpowers Latasha has?” Read the accompanying written story to explore her idea of superpowers more.
Near the intro of the story, Latasha describes what she means by ‘superpowers.’ To check reading comprehension, ask students, “What are Latasha’s superpowers? In what ways do you feel these are superpowers? Why or why not?”
Now let's practice telling time, practice strategies for adding 2- and 3- digit numbers, and complete word problems within 100.
Later in the written story, Latasha discusses her mom’s predictable work schedule and asks students to think about how many hours a day and a month her mom works.
SELF-REFLECTION ACTIVITY Debrief this lesson by inviting students to share their activity from Step 2 (picture, story, gratitude journal).
You could hang these pictures or stories around the classroom, or create a special gratitude journal space in the class where students can go for a couple minutes of peace and quiet.
This is one way to teach this story. You could also weave your own way, threading two or three other people the AI finds for you alongside.
Want to weave a full lesson around this story?
The weaver finds 3-4 real people whose stories thread together with this one.
Weave a lesson →Not hers. Not yours. People are always more than the chapters anyone could share. Hold what is here gently. Approach with curiosity, before judgment.
If a moment stayed, follow it. If a question rose up, hold it. The quiet teaching is still teaching.
Three or four real stories woven into one lesson, your topic, your time. Latasha is one. The weaver finds the others, threads the math, the literacy, the values, the reflection.
Open the weaver →