Learning Vybez Beats & Rhymes is an innovative educational initiative combining Hip-Hop and spoken word poetry to enhance learning in Math and Language Arts for students in grades 3 through 5. This dynamic project offers a multi-faceted approach to education.
What We’re Doing
Revolutionizing Content
We're revolutionizing the way young minds engage with educational content by infusing it with the power of Hip-Hop music and spoken word poetry.
Creating Immersive Experiences
Our approach combines catchy beats and rhymes with targeted lessons in math and language arts, creating an immersive experience that's both fun and effective.
Engaging Students in Grades 3-5
We engage students in grades 3 through 5 with educational content through audio recorded music and spoken word poetry.
It’s a one-of-a kind experience that engages, inspires, and empowers young learners.
Meet the Teaching Artists
Femi the DriFish
Meet Femi Lawal also known as Mr. Fish, a multifaceted artist, poet, educator, performer, activist and advocate with an illustrious two-decade career. Born in the UK with Nigerian roots, Femi has chosen Baltimore as the epicenter of his creative and community endeavors.
Through his music and poetry he provides alternative methods for understanding terminology, formulas and mathematical procedures, empowering students to find answers through artistic expression. Beyond the spotlight, Femi is deeply committed to education as a teaching artist with Arts for Learning Maryland. Leveraging his creative writing skills, he designs groundbreaking programs that enhance writing and reading comprehension. These initiatives harness the rhythm, rhyme, and depth of poetry to foster artistic expression and academic growth.
Reese
Maurice's journey from a music prodigy to an influential educator illustrates the profound impact of innovative teaching methods. Beginning his musical education at the tender age of four, Maurice quickly excelled in piano, showcasing a natural affinity for the arts. Despite facing challenges in mathematics, a mentor's advice to correlate music with mathematical concepts, particularly fractions, through the lens of time signatures and measure counting, revolutionized his understanding.
As Maurice transitioned into teaching, his unique approach of integrating music with academic subjects transformed the learning experience for his students. By applying musical concepts to math and language, Maurice's students achieved a deeper comprehension, moving beyond rote memorization to genuine understanding.
Why it works
While traditional classroom curriculum works for some, we take education to new heights by integrating Spoken Word Poetry and Hip-Hop into the learning experience. Our approach goes beyond conventional methods, providing students with alternative avenues to absorb and engage with educational material.
By infusing the power of artistic expression into academic content, we tap into the innate creativity and passion of young minds. Spoken Word Poetry and Hip-Hop serve as captivating mediums that resonate with students on a deeper level, making complex concepts more relatable and memorable.
Through catchy beats, rhythmic verses, and impactful performances, we introduce and reinforce classroom content in a way that sparks curiosity and fosters a love for learning. It's about more than just delivering lessons; it's about igniting a fire within students to explore, question, and discover the world around them.
To book Learning Vybez Beats and Rhymes for your school, contact thedrifish@gmail.com
