In 27 years of teaching, I've never seen the “history crazy,” that has been caused by Hamilton! Consequently, it is no longer “boring history of old white guys.” Students come into the classroom having already memorized the Hamilton! soundtrack, singing songs about America’s founders! This Broadway show has married art (hip-hop) to history and empowered history educators.
Seizing on this phenomenon, the traveling exhibit, “Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Invented Modern America,” capitalized on the formation of our country through documents, which presents multifaceted concepts through complex text. The engagement of complex text draws kids in that are not usually engaged. Hip-hop is the hook to history!
The most important outcome of Gilder Lehrman's traveling exhibit is the inspiring of civic engagement. Hamilton’s life story personifies America’s ideals. Students will learn that civic engagement, like Hamilton, requires action. After the creation of student raps, they are left with an American story of industry, resilience, and commitment to nation.
Seizing on this phenomenon, the traveling exhibit, “Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Invented Modern America,” capitalized on the formation of our country through documents, which presents multifaceted concepts through complex text. The engagement of complex text draws kids in that are not usually engaged. Hip-hop is the hook to history!
The most important outcome of Gilder Lehrman's traveling exhibit is the inspiring of civic engagement. Hamilton’s life story personifies America’s ideals. Students will learn that civic engagement, like Hamilton, requires action. After the creation of student raps, they are left with an American story of industry, resilience, and commitment to nation.
Activity 1: Rappin' with Hamilton
“Rapping with the Hamilton!” was a project that examined Hamilton’s central role during the Revolutionary and Founding Era in creating the economic, constitutional, social, journalistic, political, and foreign policy templates for Modern America. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award winning Broadway show, “Hamilton”, is the inspiration for “Rapping with Hamilton” project! This project, thanks to the loan of Gilder Lehrman Institute of America History’s traveling exhibition, “Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Invented Modern America.” would draw from the breadth of America’s culture, rap music, while inspiring students to analyze documents from our nation’s founding.
New Rap for Miranda's Hamilton!
After meeting on February 11th and February 25th and filming on March 11th of 2017, students from Josephine country schools (Allendale Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Fruitdale Elementary, South Middle School, North Middle School, and Grants Pass High School) wrote an addendum to Lin-Manuel Miranda's song from the Broadway show, "My Shot." After studying biographies and primary documents on the Marguis de Lafayette, John Laurens, and Hercules Mulligan, the students, that ranged from age 11 to 17 years old, created a new rap titled, "Three Best Friends."
Lyrics for "Three Best Friends"
Chorus: Three best friends, determination. Round and round saving the nation.
|
John Lauren born, 1754
Went to England to learn more. Headed to America, via France Thinkin’ that maybe he had a chance. Abolish slavery, that's what he's here to do But will this really make due? Returning to the army 1782 Trying to get all the way through. Injured in every battle he fought, Enduring a lot. Finally. The end came He was the only one To die in vain. |
Lafayette, he married rich
Royalty relationships Confided in His best friends Struggled with Americans Highest French nobility Undying loyalty Funded revolution Winning battles with gentility Suffered pain Won the game Aiming without any shame Hero of two worlds he was Living by ‘no pain no gain’ |
Hercules Mulligan, quite spontaneous
Like Greek legend, A loyal patriot Spying’ on soldiers, running’ his shop The hidden legend was never to be stopped Using’ his skills to pay the bills Stoppin’ Washington from being killed Surveying the British, much to their frustration Sewing up the nation’s communications |
Activity 2: Hamilton at the Library
Themes in "My Shot" Lyrics
|
"Rap teams", were formed in the eight 8th U.S. History classes. After naming themselves (use rap name generator), the students analyzed Miranda's lyrics from "My Shot." Each group came up with five themes with textual evidence and the whole class discussion merged the themes. Here were the themes for each period:
|
|
On February 28th and March 1st, South Middle School 8th graders took a field trip to the Josephine Community Library to explore the seven themes on the "Man Who Made Modern America." Using the seven panels that Richard Brookhiser created for the New York Society Exhibit, the students found textual evidence (quotes, painting, primary documents) within of the following seven panels:
|
Themes in Hamilton's Traveling Exhibit
|
Writing Assessment: TREC - Topic, Reason, Evidence, Connection
After studying the Founding Era through the life of Alexander Hamilton through the field trip to the library and the study of the lyrics, Hamilton!, students will complete three organizers, using TREC (Theme, Reason, Evidence, Connection). The student then wrote a three paragraph answer to the essential question:
WHAT THEMES THROUGHOUT HAMILTON'S LIFE MADE HIM "THE MAN WHO MADE MODERN AMERICA"?
WHAT THEMES THROUGHOUT HAMILTON'S LIFE MADE HIM "THE MAN WHO MADE MODERN AMERICA"?