Go With the Flo

Reviewed by Laurie Thurston

Flocabulary: The Hip-hop Approach to Vocabulary Building (Paperback)
by Blake Harrison, Alexander Rappaport, Ann Marie Mulready
ISBN: 0-9768292-0-7
Published by Flocabulary.com - get the workbook and audio CD's here

I love the English language,

it has so many words, myriad words, a

plethora of nouns and verbs.

Hip-hop is Shakespeare

and Shakespeare is hip-hop

These lyrics are from the funky new CD and workbook called A Dictionary and a Microphone. The talent behind this first edition of Flocabulary is a dynamic pair of young men – Alex Rappaport and Blake Harrison – who’ve bridged the worlds of rap and SAT preparation.

Let’s start with the book, not just because English teachers like books, but because this is a good one. The first two chapters include an introduction to the ‘why’ behind Flocabulary and tips for its use. Chapter three holds the fun stuff: the music. Before each of the twelve songs is a word bank; next are the lyrics, which are printed on the left-side of the page (with vocabulary in bold) with the parts of speech and definitions opposite for easy reference. After each song are application exercises including synonym matching, sentence completion and reading comprehension passages.  The final chapters of the book include a fabulous section on freestyles and metaphors, an answer key and an alphabetized reference dictionary. This workbook is uncluttered, accessible and engaging.

Now for the CD.  This music is smart. It’s funny. It’s creative. It’s not gangsta, homophobic or misogynistic. And these songs don’t just teach vocabulary; there are some nifty life-lessons tucked in as well. Your kids will talk about much more than music after hearing these tracks.

Visit www.flocabulary.com and check out what they have to offer. Their website is fantastic – from sample downloads to examples from the workbook to a teen-centered rappers forum. And teachers, download their terrific lesson plans and get started.

Since hip-hop is here to stay and SATs certainly aren’t going anywhere, let Flocabulary help you show your students the two don’t have to remain separate worlds.