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Fab 5 Freddy, Visual Artist

A Hip-Hop Pioneer (Season Two) - Available 12/23/24

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Fab 5 Freddy, Visual Artist - A Hip-Hop Pioneer (Season Two) - Available 12/23/24 - Lessons - Life Stories Interviews

"We were making art without realizing we were making art." - Fab 5 Freddy, The Thread

Fab 5 Freddy (Frad Brathwaite) recalls his childhood home filled with jazz greats like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis. Dubbed the “hip-hop architect" you'll hear about and learn from this multitalented groundbreaking visual artist filmmaker.

 

Watch "A Hip-Hop Pioneer"  - Available 12/23/24

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Lesson Objectives

Social Studies

* Understand the historical and cultural context that gave rise to hip-hop

* Reflect on the universal role of art, music, and film in shaping ideas and norms

* Examine the history of mass incarceration and its roots in the criminalization of cannabis

* Analyze the globalization of culture through the example of hip-hop music and culture

English Language Arts Focus

* Examine perspective taking from the point of view of one artist and entrepreneur

* Analyze the structure and purpose of a narrative, identify key themes in the episode, and synthesize information from a spoken text

* Research hip-hop music and lyrics and connect it to other forms of art and literature

* Explore how passion and purpose contribute to a meaningful life

* Analyze, reflect on, and discuss the title “A Hip Hop Pioneer” after watching the episode

* Use Fab 5 Freddy’s episode as evidence to write a rhetorical argument, commentary, or synthesis essay

Social Emotional Learning: By offering engaging personal narratives, students can discuss and strengthen the five SEL competencies - self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Media Literacy:Students will practice media literacy skills by analyzing information, points of view, and claims made in The Thread and be able to translate these strategies with all forms of media to make more informed decisions.

Fab 5 Freddy, Visual Artist - A Hip-Hop Pioneer (Season Two) - Available 12/23/24 - Lessons - Life Stories Interviews

First Take >

The “First Take” activity is a warm-up writing or conversation exercise created uniquely for The Thread to strengthen media literacy skills. Like an opening song in a musical, the first stanza of a poem, or even the first impression one person makes on another, the “First Take” asks students to reflect and share their initial thoughts and feelings about the episode’s opening and why the filmmaker and editor made these choices.

Download Fab 5 Freddy’s lesson to access her “First Take” activity.

Fab 5 Freddy, Visual Artist - A Hip-Hop Pioneer (Season Two) - Available 12/23/24 - Lessons - Life Stories Interviews

The Thread Up Close >

After watching the interview, students will debrief and discuss the life story and engage in a close read and analysis of her interview using the “A Hip-Hop Pioneer” episode and transcript.

In this lesson, the suggested close read explores the how visual art and music provide windows into history and reflect shifts in different facets of our culture.

Download the lesson to access “The Thread Up Close” activity.

Fab 5 Freddy, Visual Artist - A Hip-Hop Pioneer (Season Two) - Available 12/23/24 - Lessons - Life Stories Interviews

"A Hip-Hop Pioneer" >

 

Students will explore the idea of a cultural pioneer, choose one they connect with, and create a presentation of their choosing. 

Download the lesson to see entire “A Hip-Hop Pioneer” activity.

Resources

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