Hit up Tupac and J Woodson to see what their lives are all about

Introduction

Hi Fourth Graders!

Do you like music? How about rap? Who is your favorite rapper?

We will be reading an enitire book about a famous rapper, Tupac. Before we start our book, After Tupac, it is important that you learn a little about the book's background! We will be looking into both Tupac and the author J Woodson. Lets get started!

Task

You will be completing a graphic organizer for Tupac and J Woodson to find out more about their lives. After you finish your research, you will work together with your table to create a poster for each person.

Process

1. You will first be researching Tupac. Using your graphic organizer, answer the following questions...

  • What are 5 interesting facts about Tupac's life?
  • What is Tupac remembered for?
  • When was he born?
  • What other artists is Tupac compared to?
  • What is your favorite fact you found about him?
  • What did he do before he became a rapper?

Use the following websites to conduct your research.

http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Black-History-Month-Tupac-Shakur-3228199.php

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/tupac-shakur/biography

http://www.biography.com/people/tupac-shakur-206528

2. Next, you will be researching J Woodson. While researching her, use your graphic organizer to answer the following questions...

  • Who is her daughter named after and why?
  • How did she start writing? 
  • Where does she do most of her writing?
  • What is a one sentence summary of her book "After Tupac," that we will be reading in class?

Use the following links to conduct your research.

http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/jacqueline-woodson

3. After you finish your research, get together in your table groups. In your groups, create a poster that addresses the questions you answered during your research. Make sure to include a minimum of 6 facts on your poster! Also include a creative title!

4. Once you finish, we will be sharing the posters will the class.

5. If you finish early, listen to one of Tupac's songs here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUvjE7zRylQ 

Evaluation

Conclusion

Great Job!! You are now ready to read J Woodson book "After Tupac!"

I hope you learned something new and interesting about the lives of Tupac and J Woodson!

Credits

Teacher Page

This is a beginning lesson for the book "After Tupac." This lesson is for fourth grade students and would be done before reading the book! The graphic organizer needed is attached in the credits.