Grand Hank, an African-American chemist and rapper, stresses the importance of education to children and their parents. The message is positive and (no pun intended) upbeat, pointing out that being educated is the best way for African-Americans to assert their power in American society. The video features several raps, some spoken as script, some performed with taped beat to an audience. In one, Hank invites elementary school children to come out of the audience to identify African-American scientists. He also includes a review of the eight parts of speech--an important topic--but simply identifying "subject," "verb," and "predicate" as terms cannot substitute for actually teaching students grammar. The video has some amateurish aspects: the entire first rap is taped from just a few rows short of the stage, so the people constantly moving around back and forth in front of the stage and aisle all but obliterate Hank. In addition, the sound quality isn't the highest, and tighter editing of the performance segments would have been welcome. An optional purchase for elementary and middle schools. Also available: The Science of Grand Hank (video, $24.95) and The Education of a Nation (2 audiocassettes, $9.95). Aud: I, J, P. (R. Reagan)
The Educational Rap Lecture
(1997) 60 min. $24.95. Grand Hank Productions. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 14, Issue 3
The Educational Rap Lecture
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