Kurt "Big Boy" Alexander, Radio Host

A Hip Hop Odyssey (Season One)

Overview

"I always knew that I wanted to be around hip-hop." - Kurt "Big Boy" Alexander, The Thread

Kurt “Big Boy” Alexander recalls growing up in a household filled with love despite financial struggles and highlights the impact of music and hip-hop on his early years. He provides insights into his resilience facing homelessness and the transformative power of pivotal moments in his life, including narrowly avoiding arrest and receiving a radio opportunity that marked the beginning of his successful career.

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Lesson Objectives

Social Studies

*Explore the history of hip-hop through the life story of Kurt Alexander

English Language Arts

*Analyze Kurt Alexandr's story as memoir

*Explore the power of music as a form of cultural expression

*Examine perspective taking from the point of view of one radio host

*Explore the idea of purposeful work and a meaningful life

*Use Kurt Alexander'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.

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 choicess.

Download Kurt Alexander's lesson to access the complete "First Take" activity.

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 his interview using the "A Hip Hop Odyssey" episode and transcript.

In this lesson, students will explore the history of hip-hop as a cultural movement, art form, and musical genre.

Download the lesson to access "The Thread Up Close" activity.

"A Hip Hop Odyssey" >

In this lesson students will explore the title of this lesson and engage in a research project on the history of hip-hop.

Download lesson to access the complete "A Hip Hop Odyssey" activity.

Resources

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