Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything”

Home , Blunted on Reality, Is This It, Lauryn Hill, Pras

Student Guide

Biography Lauryn Noel Hill was born in South Orange, One of the many hits on the album was Hill’s New Jersey, on May 25, 1975. As a high school powerful rendition of Roberta Flack’s classic student, Lauryn was an active cheerleader and song, “Killing Me Softly.” Lauryn launched performer. In 1988, at age 13, she appeared as her solo career in 1998 by releasing Th e an Amateur Night contestant on It’s Showtime Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, another critically at the Apollo. Hill sung her own version of acclaimed album that garnered 10 Grammy Michael Jackson’s song “Who’s Loving You?” Awards nominations in 1999, and won Album Although the audience booed at fi rst, she of the Year. It was a historic feat, setting a new persisted and fi nished her song to applause. record for women in the music industry. In While she did not win, this was only the 2002, Hill released MTV Unplugged 2.0, a live beginning. A few years later, Hill was off ered album of her most brutally honest, heartfelt a role on the soap opera, As Th e World Turns, material, most of which featured just Hill’s and in 1993 she co-starred with Whoopi voice and an acoustic guitar. Goldberg in Sister Act 2. Lauryn Hill has won over 30 awards, Hill joined high school friends Pras Michel including eight Grammys and three World and Wyclef Jean to form Th e Refugee Camp, Best-Selling Music awards, and has worked also known as “Th e Fugees.” Th eir fi rst album, with everyone from John Legend (who plays Blunted on Reality, was released in 1994, and piano on, “Everything Is Everything”), to has since sold over 2 million copies worldwide. Nas, Aretha Franklin, and most recently, Joss Th e group’s second album, Th e Score, was most Stone. She is the mother of four and the wife critically acclaimed, winning multiple awards. of Rohan Marley, the son of the late reggae It sold an unprecedented 18 million copies legend Bob Marley. worldwide, establishing Lauryn, Wyclef, and Pras as musical and entertainment superstars.

Lyrics Everything Is Everything [Rapping - Verse Two] What is meant to be, will be I philosophy After winter, must come spring Possibly speak tongues Change, it comes eventually Beat drums, Abyssinian, street Baptist (2x) Rap this in ﬁ ne linen, from the beginning My practice extending across the atlas [Singing - Verse One] I begat this I wrote these words for everyone who struggles Flipping in the ghetto on a dirty mattress in their youth You can’t match this rapper slash actress Who won’t accept deception, instead of what More powerful than two Cleopatras is truth Bomb graﬃ ti on the tomb of Nefertiti It seems we lose the game MCs ain’t ready to take it to the Serengeti Before we even start to play My rhymes is heavy like the mind of sister Who made these rules? (Who made these Betty (Betty Shabazz!) rules?) L-Boogie spars with stars and constellations We’re so confused (We’re so confused) Th en came down for a little conversation Easily led astray Adjacent to the king, fear no human being Let me tell ya that... Roll with cherubims to Nassau Coliseum Now hear this mixture, where Hip Hop meets [Chorus] scripture Everything Is Everything Develop a negative into a positive picture Everything Is Everything After winter, must come spring [Chorus] Everything Is Everything Now Everything Is Everything

What is meant to be, will be Everything After winter, must come spring After winter, must come spring Change, it comes eventually Everything Is Everything

[Singing - Verse Th ree] Everything Is Everything Sometimes it seems What is meant to be, will be We’ll touch that dream After winter, must come spring But things come slow or not at all Change, it comes eventually And the ones on top, won’t make it stop So convinced that they might fall Let’s love ourselves and we can’t fail To make a better situation Tomorrow, our seeds will grow All we need is dedication Let me tell ya that...

[Chorus] Everything Is Everything Everything Is

Vocabulary a-c • adjacent – nearby; bordering • astray – oﬀ track; lost • atlas – a book of maps • begat – to make or produce • cherubim – small angels, portrayed as children with chubby rosy faces • constellations – a formation of stars perceived as a ﬁ gure or design • conversation – talk • convinced – sure; certain

d-k • deception – dishonesty or cheating • dedication – commitment; devotion • eventually – sooner or later; in the end • everything – the whole thing; all things • ghetto – a section of a city occupied by a minority group who lives there because of social, economic, or legal pressure

l-z • linen – cloth woven from thread made from the fi ber of the fl ax plant • mixture – blend • scripture – the sacred writings of a religion • situation – circumstances or state of aff airs • spars – argues or fi ghts • slash – a diagonal mark (/) used to separate choices: and/or; rapper/actress • youth – early years of life

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What Can you Do Well?

Directions: Lauryn tells us what she does well. Brainstorm four (4) activities or skills that you do well. Draw a picture of you doing one of those activities. Everyone is good at something!

Here are 4 things that I do well

National Reading Standards Met: Reading for Perspective Evaluation Strategies Communication Skills Communication Strategies

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Fill in the Blanks

Directions: Use the Word Bank to ﬁ ll in the blanks.

1. Lauryn Hill uses an ______to look at maps of Africa. Word Bank 2. Fifty Cent ______using words against his fail rival, rapper JaRule. slash 3. When I grow up I want to be a dancer ______spars singer. astray 4. We were off track, led ______by the wrote person who gave us bad directions. slow 5. It seems we lose the ______before we even start to play. winter game 6. In the ______we play in the snow. tomorrow atlas 7. We work hard, but it seems things come ______or not at all.

8. ______will be better than today.

9. I ______these words on a piece of paper.

10. We may ______and lose if we don’t work hard.

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Develop a Negative Into a Positive...

Directions: Change the negative sentences into positive sentences. Write the new sentence on the line.

1. You can’t stop this rapper slash actress.

2. We can’t do it.

3. They won’t make it stop.

4. MCs ain’t ready to take it.

5. He doesn’t want to help.

6. I don’t think I want to.

7. She didn’t tell me about it.

8. He shouldn’t help her.

National Reading Standards Met: Communication Skills Applying Knowledge Applying Language Skills

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Story Boards

Directions: You are making a video for Lauryn Hill’s song, “Everything Is Everything.” Use the story boards below to draw the main scenes for your video. What will happen in the beginning, in the middle, and in the end?

Beginning

Middle

Story boards are drawings used by video makers to plan the video before they make it.

End

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Come Correct

Directions: Edit each sentence by putting a capital letter at the beginning of each sentence and a period or a question mark at the end of each sentence.

1. i wrote these words for everyone who struggles in their youth

2. everything is everything

3. we can’t fail to make it better

4. it seems we lose the game before we even start to play

5. who made these rules

6. we’ll touch that dream

7. all we need is dedication

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A noun is a person, Nice nouns place, or thing (girl, house, toaster). Directions: Circle the correct spelling of each noun. Then, draw a picture of each noun in the box. Use a dictionary to help you spell and deﬁ ne each word.

1. seeed sede seed

2. stars starc smars

3. atalas atlas altals

4. mattress matres matress

5. glame game gamme

6. actress actresss acttress

7. kign kang king

8. druum drumm drum

9. linin linen linon

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WOW Women!

Directions: Lauryn Hill compares herself to three women from history. Imagine what each woman might look like and draw a picture of her in the correct box.

Cleopatra

Nefertiti

Betty Shabazz

National Reading Standards Met: Understanding the Human Experience NOW use a dictionary, encyclopedia, or the Applying Knowledge Internet to ﬁ nd a picture of each woman. Compare Developing Research Skills your picture to the picture you found. How similar is Evaluating Data your picture to the picture you found? ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio A Lesson 8

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Bright Ideas

Directions: Write or draw one way you can make a positive change in your school, your family, or your community. Then, compare your list with your classmates’ lists. As a class, make an action plan to carry out your ideas.

School

Family

Community

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The Tomb of Nefertiti

Directions: Use the code below to “bomb” (or write) a grafﬁ ti message on the tomb of Nefertiti. Ex. Nefertiti = ⌃ ⌃

ABCDEFG F

HIJKLM

NOPQRS

TUVWXYZ ⌃

Now switch papers with a friend and decode his or her grafﬁ ti message.

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Senses in the Serengeti

Directions: Read the passage below. Then, use your ﬁ ve senses to describe the Serengeti.

The Serengeti (say “ser-in-GET-ee”) is a huge grassland in Tanzania, Africa. Parts of the Serengeti are ﬂ at and grassy, but other parts have hills and trees. Many different animals live in the grassland such as, zebras, lions, elephants, and wildebeests. Every year the animals travel from the south to the north of the Serengeti. They have to travel from south to north, to ﬁ nd food and water during the dry season. The act of traveling in large groups from one place to another, is called migrating. The migrating animals in the Serengeti are famous because it is such an amazing sight to see so many animals moving at one time.

In the Serengeti I Can see touch

hear smell taste

National Reading Standards Met: Reading for Perspective Understanding the Human Experience Communication Skills Communication Strategies Applying Knowledge ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio A Lesson 11

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What do You Know?

Directions: Cleopatra and Nefertiti were queens of ancient Egypt. Write ﬁ ve (5) facts that you already know about Egypt and ﬁ ve (5) facts that you want to know.

What do you know?

What do you WANT to know?

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S-Blends

Directions: Find a word from the song that starts with each of the letter blends in the stars.

Sl St Sp

Spr Scr Str

Now write a word that begins with each blend but is NOT in the song. Sl

Spr

Scr

Str

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Weird Words

Directions: Find 10 words in the song that sound interesting, powerful, or funny. Write the words below. Use those 10 words to write a new poem.

Interesting words from “Everything is Everything” Abyssinian cherubim in linen View constellations 1. Spar in conversation on the Serengeti 2. Dream of love and scripture

10.

Your Poem

National Reading Standards Met: Evaluation Strategies Communication Skills Communication Strategies Applying Knowledge Applying Language Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio A Lesson 14

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Pictures in Words

Directions: Read the lines from Lauryn Hill’s song. Make a mental picture of what you read. Draw what you picture in your head.

“Flipping in the ghetto on a dirty mattress”

“After winter, must come spring”

“Wrap this in ﬁ ne linen*” (linen is a type of cloth)

National Reading Standards Met: Evaluation Strategies Communication Skills Applying Knowledge Multicultural Understanding

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Rhythm and Rhyme

Directions: Read the verse below. Color the rhyming words following the directions in the box.

Sometimes it seems We’ll touch that dream If the word rhymes with But things come slow or not at all And the ones on top, won’t make it stop team, color it red So convinced that they might fall ball, color it blue Let’s love ourselves and we can’t fail pop, color it green To make a better situation row, color it purple

Tomorrow, our seeds will grow station, color it yellow All we need is dedication

Now with your class, make a hand movement or gesture to go with each line. Draw or write a description of your gesture.

Sometimes it seems we’ll touch that dream

But things come slow or not at all

And the ones on top, won’t make it stop

So convinced that they might fall

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Winter or Spring

Directions: List fi ve adjectives that decribe winter and spring. Then list fi ve nouns that you most likely would see in the winter and in the spring. Lastly, list fi ve verbs or actions you would do in the winter and in the spring.

Winter Adjectives Spring Adjectives

1. freezing 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

Winter Nouns Spring Nouns

1. 1. kite

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

Winter Verbs Spring Verbs

1. to shovel 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

A noun is a person, place, or thing. An adjective is a describing word. A verb is an action word. National Reading Standards Met: Applying Knowledge Communication Strategies

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Write a Critique

Directions: Imagine you are a writer for The Source magazine and you have been assigned to write a review of Lauryn Hill’s song. Start by listing what you like about the song and what you don’t like about the song. Then, write a critique of the song that is ﬁ ve to seven sentences long.

Likes Dislikes

Critique

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Design a Cover

Directions: Design a CD cover for Lauryn Hill’s single that represents the song’s message and key ideas from the song. Then write three to ﬁ ve sentences explaining what you drew and how it relates to the song.

National Reading Standards Met: Communication Skills Communication Strategies Applying Knowledge Applying Language Skills

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Rhymes and Rhythms

Directions: Identify six pairs of rhyming words from the song. Then write an original poem using at least four of the six pairs of words.

Ex. mixture

picture

Your Poem

National Reading Standards Met: Communication Skills Communication Strategies Applying Knowledge Applying Language Skills Multicultural Understanding ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio B Lesson 5

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Compare and Contrast

Directions: Read the passages below and then compare and contrast Cleopatra and Nefertiti.

Cleopatra Nefertiti Cleopatra dreamed of creating an Egypt Nefertiti was the powerful wife of a pharoah with power throughout the world. Cleopatra of Ancient Egypt. It is thought that her became friends with a very powerful man, husband, the pharoah, loved her deeply. Marc Antony. He gave her more land to While her husband ruled, Nefertiti was the increase Egyptian power. Together they most powerful woman of her time. She is had three children who were meant to shown in Egyptian pictures as being equal to become kings and queens of different areas the king and worshipping the Egyptian sun of Egypt. Unfortunately, the Emperor of god alone, a picture usually used only for the Rome attacked and defeated Cleopatra in pharoah. Her name means the “beautiful war, and he declared Egypt under Roman or perfect woman has come.” She is most rule. Cleopatra’s defeat crushed her dreams well known for the sculpture of her face. of an all-powerful Egypt. Instead of facing That sculpture has become the symbol for disgrace, she killed herself using an asp, an a beautiful woman and is currently in a Egyptian snake. Cleopatra, the woman museum in Germany. known as the “Queen of Kings” and the “Last Pharoah” has inspired many plays, books, movies, and even cartoons.

titi because rtiti is d Nefer Nefe ifferent fr from om C ent leo fer pa dif tr is a be tra c a They are the same because a p u s o e le C

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Poetic images

Directions: Lauryn Hill uses tools of poetry called similes and metaphors. Draw a picture of the similes and metaphors used in the song.

It seems we lose the game before we even start to play.

My rhymes is heavy like the mind of sister Betty Shabazz.

Tomorrow, our seeds will grow.

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Edit it

Directions: Read this paragraph about Lauryn Hill’s life. Find the spelling and grammar errors and correct them.

Lauryn Hill begat the road to stardom with an appearance on Amateur Night at the Apollo. although she lost that competition, she won actor roll on the TV show as the world turns and the movie Sister Act II. She started singing with the wrap group Fugees early in her career, at the age of 13. The Fugees became well-known after they released there second album The Score.

Using his new found fame, Lauryn releasing a solo album titled The Miseducation of Lauryn

Hill Her solo album won ﬁ ve Grammy Awards after be nominated for eleven. Her second solo album, MTV Unplugged No.2, however, did not receive the same warm reception. Since her second album, she has withdrawn from the public eye and lived in new jersey.

NOW re-write the paragraph without any errors, using your best handwriting.

National Reading Standards Met: Reading for Perspective Understanding the Human Experience Evaluation Strategies Communication Strategies Applying Knowledge ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio B Lesson 8

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What Do You Know?

Directions: Lauryn Hill mentions people and places from Africa many times in her song. Write fi ve facts you know about Africa and fi ve questions you have about Africa. Then list at least fi ve resources where you can fi nd answers to your fi ve questions.

Africa Where can you ﬁ nd What do you KNOW? the answers to your 1. questions? 1. 2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4. 5. 5.

Africa What do you WANT to know? 1.

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Dictionary Discovery

Directions: Use a dictionary to deﬁ ne each word from the song. Write the deﬁ nition. Then write the words in the dictionary that appear before and after it.

Word Before Define Word After conversation

eventually

mixture

everything

Abyssinian

youth

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Wonderful Words

Directions: Read each word below. Can you ﬁ nd another word within the words? Try mixing up the letters or looking at the word backward. Write at least ﬁ ve (5) words that you found within the word.

Abyssinian constellations

1. basis 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

eventually philosophy

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

adjacent Serengeti

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

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Multiple Meanings

Directions: Lauryn Hill uses many words that have two (2) or more deﬁ nitions. Write two possible deﬁ nitions for each word below. Discuss with your classmate which meaning Lauryn intended.

1. stars

1. negative 2.

1. top 2.

heavy 2.

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HER-Story

Directions: Lauryn Hill talks about three women in world history. List the women she names. Then draw a picture of your favorite woman in history. Write two sentences telling why she is your favorite woman in history.

The three (3) women that Lauryn Hill lists in her rap are:

Having trouble thinking of great women in history? Here are a few to get you started. Sojourner Truth Queen Victoria Joan of Arc Dr. Mae Jemison Ida B. Wells Oprah Winfrey Harriet Tubman Eva Peron Indira Gandhi Susan B. Anthony

My favorite woman in history is

She is my favorite woman in history because

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Main Idea and Details

Directions: Re-read the ﬁ rst and third verse of “Everything Is Everything”. The main idea is written for you. In each star write a detail from the song that supports the main idea.

MAIN IDEA: Young people will face challenges and people who don’t want them to succeed, but, if they try hard, they can achieve their goals.

Detail 1 Detail 2

Detail 3 Detail 4

Now write a short summary of verses one and three using your own words.

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Proper Nouns

Directions: Lauryn Hill uses many proper nouns in verse two of “Everything Is Everything.” List the proper nouns that she uses and answer the questions below using complete sentences.

Proper Nouns

1. 5.

2. 6.

3. 7.

4. 8. A proper noun begins with a capital letter no matter 1. How did you know which words were proper nouns? where it is found in the sentence. A proper noun also names a speciﬁ c person, place, or thing, for example, Lauryn Hill, Coke, Paris.

2. In your opinion, why does Lauryn use so many proper nouns in this verse of the song?

3. Which proper noun would you like to learn more about? Why?

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Is That a Fact?

Directions: Read the paragraph about the Serengeti. Write three (3) facts from the paragraph below the lion and three (3) opinions from the paragraph under the zebra.

The Serengeti is an area of grassland in Africa that spans two countries A fact is something that can and consists of two national parks that protect the animals that live be proven.

An opinion is a feeling or a there. The most interesting event in the Serengeti is the “great migra- belief. Look for key words like most, least, always, tion” (say “my-GRAY-shon”). During the dry season, the animals of the believe, feel, worst, best, never, none. Serengeti travel north in search of water and food. In my opinion, it is sad that the animals have to travel so far to ﬁ nd food. The “great migration” begins when millions of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles travel several hundred miles across the plain. Lions, hyenas, crocodiles and other dangers await them along the way. Everybody should travel to

Africa to witness the great migration.

Opinions Facts 1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

National Reading Standards Met: Reading for Perspective Understanding the Human Experience Evaluation Strategies Applying Knowledge

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Write a Letter

Directions: Read the song lyrics below. Write a ﬁ rst draft of a letter to Lauryn explaining a struggle that you or a friend have faced. If you were able to overcome your struggle, tell her how you did it.

Date:

“I wrote these words for everyone who struggles in their Greeting: youth Who won’t accept deception Body of Letter: instead of what is truth

1. Introduce yourself and explain why you are writing your letter: It seems we lose the game before we even start to play Who made these rules? We’re so confused 2. Explain your struggle: Easily led astray...”

3. Explain how you overcame your struggle or how you can overcome it in the future:

4. Conclude your letter by explaining how Lauryn’s song aﬀ ected you:

Closing:

Signature: National Reading Standards Met: Evaluation Strategies Communication Skills Communication Strategies Participating In Society Applying Knowledge Applying Language Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio C Lesson 2

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Interview Lauryn

Directions: Imagine you have the opportunity to interview Lauryn Hill. Write three questions you would ask her in the speech bubbles to the left. Get personal! Dig deep! Ask questions with no easy answer. Th en, switch papers with a friend. Respond to your friends questions as if you were Lauryn. Lauryn You

National Reading Standards Met: Communication Skills Communication Strategies Applying Knowledge Evaluating Data Participating in Society ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Applying Language Skills Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio C Lesson 3

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Research a famous WomAn

Directions: Choose a famous woman from the list below. Use at least three diﬀ erent research resources (internet, encyclopedia, reference book) to ﬁ nd out the vital statistics for the woman you chose. Th en write a short paragraph to introduce the woman to the rest of your class. Vital Statistics for ______

Birth date: Famou s Women

Profession: Indira Ghandi

Education: Nefertiti

Country of Origin: Cleopatra

A Famous Quote: Hillary Clinton Harriet Tubman Condoleeza Rice

Here are the resources I used to ﬁ nd the vital statistics: Rachel Carson

1. Ella Fitzgerald

2. Janis Joplin

3. Frida Kahlo Isabel Allende Introduce your famous woman to your classmates. Joan of Arc Catherine the Great Connie Chung Vera Wang Shirley Chisholm

National Reading Standards Met: Reading for Perspective Communication Skills Communication Strategies Evaluating Data Developing Research Skills Applying Language Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio C Lesson 4

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Understanding the story

Directions: Use complete sentences to answer the questions below.

1. In verse one, what type of rules do you think Lauryn Hill is talking about?

2. Why do you think that Lauryn Hill refers to so many people and places from Africa?

3. In your opinion, who are the “ones on top” that Lauryn Hill talks about in verse three?

4. According to Lauryn Hill, what personal qualities do you need in order to bring about change?

5. In your own words, summarize Lauryn Hill’s message to youth.

6. Based on the lyrics, use at least three adjectives to describe Lauryn Hill’s personality.

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Silly similes

Directions: Fill in the blanks to create similes below. Th en, use two similes in a poem or rap about how GREAT you are. Refer to verse two of “Everything is Everything” if you need inspiration.

Ex. Th e song “Everything Is Everything” is as melodious as angels singing in heaven. 1. Nefertiti’s beauty is like ______. 2. Cleopatra was as powerful as ______. 3. Th e Serengeti is as hot and dry as ______. 4. Th e dreams of young people are like ______. A simile compares two unrelated 5. Lauryn Hill’s music is as ______as a ______. nouns using “like,” or “as.” 6. Th e struggle of the youth is as ______as ______. For example, “My rhymes is heavy 7. My rhymes are ______like ______. like the mind of sister Betty.” 8. Th e constellations are as ______as a ______. 9. We are as confused as ______. 10. Th e people in power are like ______. Your poem or rap

National Reading Standards Met: Communication Skills Communication Strategies Applying Knowledge Multicultural Understanding Participating In Society Applying Language Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio C Lesson 6

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Flippin’ in the Ghetto

Directions: Lauryn Hill creates images with the words she uses. Now it’s your turn. Draw a picture of what you see when you think of the word “ghetto.” Th en write a poem or rap that includes at least three descriptive adjectives and three vivid verbs that relate to the word “ghetto.”

Pre-wRITE

3 descriptive adjectives:

3 vivid verbs:

Your Poem

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Roll with Cherubim

Directions: Who do you roll with? Cherubim means angels, but Lauryn Hill is talking about her friends. List at least 10 qualities you look for in a friend. Th en write an organized paragraph that explains which qualities are MOST important and why.

Introductory Sentence: 10 Qualities I look for in a friend:

Body of the Paragraph (at least 3 sentences): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Concluding Sentence:

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Touch the Dream

Directions: Lauryn Hill sings, “sometimes it seems we’ll touch the dream, but things come slow or not at all.” One way to make your dream a reality is to visualize it and then write out the steps to achieve your dream. Use the space below to visualize your dream and draw it. Th en write out the steps it will take to achieve that dream.

In order to achieve my dream of ______, I must complete several tasks. First

Then

After that

Finally

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Relating to the lyrics

Directions: Relate the lyrics to your own life and answer the questions below using complete sentences.

1. Lyrics: “What is meant to be will be” Do you believe that the decisions you make will aﬀ ect your future? Or, will events in your life happen no matter what you do? Explain your answer.

2. Lyrics: “Adjacent to the king, fear no human being” Do you think being fearful is a sign of weakness, as Lauryn suggests? Do you know anyone who says they are not fearful of anything? Do you believe them? Why or why not?

3. Lyrics: “It seems we lose the game before we even start to play” What is Lauryn Hill referring to when she says “the game”? Do you take your life very seriously, or do you treat it like a game?

National Reading Standards Met: Understanding the Human Experience Evaluation Strategies Communication Skills Applying Knowledge Applying Language Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio C Lesson 10

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Compare and Contrast

Directions: Read the two passages below. Compare and contrast the Serengeti to Egypt, two places mentioned in “Everything Is Everything”.

Th e Serengeti Egypt Th e Serengeti is a vast ecosystem in Africa consisting Egypt, located in the northeast corner of Africa, is one of grasslands and plains. It spans over two countries, of its most populated countries, with over 78 million Kenya and Tanzania. In the plains and hills of the people living around the banks of the Nile River. Th e Serengeti live over two million plant eating animals, most unusual feature of Egypt is its long cultural his- called herbivores, and thousands of meat eating ani- tory, one of the longest in the world. People have been mals, called carnivores. Most of the Serengeti has been living around the Nile River since before 6000 B.C.E. designated national park land, so there are very few hu- Th e ancient people of Egypt chose to live around the mans there. Th e most unusual feature of the Serengeti Nile because the land is most suitable for farming there is the great migration, the largest movement of land and the Nile itself provides fi sh and water. Th e culture animals from one area to another in the world. Once a of ancient Egypt that most people are familiar with be- year, the herbivores, such as the wildebeests and zebras, gan around 3000 B.C., giving rise to the famous pyra- travel from the northern hills to the southern plains mids, hieroglyphics, and the rule of the pharaohs. Th e in pursuit of the rains which lead to richer vegeta- pyramids were built by the pharaohs as massive tombs tion. Th en, in the spring, they travel back to the north. for their bodies after they died. Hieroglyphics are the During their journey, many herbivores fall prey to the writing system used by ancient Egyptians. Th e hiero- predators of the Serengeti, such as the lion, the hyaena, glyphics look like little pictures, each representing a and the crocodile. Other animals die from injury or ex- word. Th e pharaohs of ancient Egypt were considered haustion. Despite the treacherous journey, the animals all-powerful and equal to gods. Th e ruins and pyra- continue their migration year after year. Many tourists mids of ancient Egypt are still major tourist attractions and scientists consider the great migration one of most and a source of national pride. breathtaking scenes a human can witness. gypt because Egypt is diff erent from from E the S ent eren iff er get s d i be ti i ca ge us en e er Th ey are the same because S e

National Reading Standards Met: Reading for Perspective Understanding Human Experience Communication Skills Evaluating Data Applying Language Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio C Lesson 11

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Prefix or Suffix - Fix it!

Directions: Add, remove, or change the suffi x or prefi x for each vocabualry word to create a new word with a new meaning. Th en write the defi nition of the new word.

Original Word Original Did you Prefi x or New Word New Defi nition Defi nition Add, Suffi x Remove, or Change Constellation A formation of stars seen change suffi x Constellatory Of any out- as a fi gure or design; -tion standing group or assemblage

Dedication

Deception

Situation

Convinced

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Who Made These Rules?

Directions: What rules do you follow in your daily life? Create a list of ﬁ ve rules and/or values that guide your daily life. Under each rule, write why you choose to follow this rule. Th en share your rules with your classmates. Can you agree on ﬁ ve rules that the class should follow?

Th e 5 Rules to Live By:

Rule 1

I follow this rule because

Rule 2

I follow this rule because

Rule 3

I follow this rule because

Rule 4

I follow this rule because

Rule 5

I follow this rule because

National Reading Standards Met: Understanding the Human Experience Evaluation Strategies Communication Skills Participating In Society Applying Language Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio C Lesson 13

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Same Message, Different Means

Directions: Read the excerpt from Jesse Jackson’s 1992 speech to the Democratic National Convention. Discuss how the speech is diﬀ erent and similar to “Everything Is Everything” by using the graphic organizer below.

“We are part of the continuing struggle for justice and decency, links in a chain that began long before we were born and will extend long after we are gone. History will remember us not for our positioning but for our principles. Not by our moving to the political center, left or right, but rather by our grasp on the moral and ethical center of wrong and right. We who stand with working people and poor have a special burden. We must stand for what is right, stand up to those who have the might. We do so grounded in the faith that that which is morally wrong will never be politically right. But if it is morally sound it will eventually be politically right.” --Jesse Jackson, Democratic National Convention, New York, New York, July 14, 1992

Similarities Diﬀ erences

Th eme(s): the overall message of the writing

Author’s Purpose: why did he/she write this piece; who was his/her audience

Use of Language: figurative language, simile, metaphor, rhythms, vocabulary

Authors: background, history, point of view

Genre: type of writing - poetry, ﬁ ction, non-ﬁ ction, short story, speech, rap

National Reading Standards Met: Reading for Perspective Understanding the Human Experience Evaluation Strategies Communication Skills Evaluating Data Applying Language Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio C Lesson 14

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Word Web

Directions: Use the web below to dissect the words in the center of the web. List at least two antonyms, two synonyms, the origin of the word and the part of speech. All of the information you need can be found in the dictionary or on the Internet.

Word Origin

Antonyms Synonyms

de dicat io n

Part of Speech

Word Origin

Antonyms Synonyms

de cepti on

Part of Speech

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Exaggeration

Directions: Lauryn Hill uses a type of ﬁ gurative language called exaggeration. Read the lyrics below and draw a line to the understatement that has a similar meaning, but may be closer to the truth.

Exaggeration Understatement

My practice extends across the atlas. I have power and inﬂ uence in the hip-hop world.

More powerful than two Cleopatras. Lauryn Hill can battle most rap stars successfully.

My rhymes is heavy like the mind of sister Betty. Many people know about my music.

Adjacent to the king, fear no human being. Th e lyrics I write are intelligent.

L-Boogie spars with stars and constellations. I am not afraid of most things, because I have power.

Authors use exaggeration to make a point about a subject, to add humor to the text, or to add vibrancy and imagery to the text. For example, “the movie was so funny I almost died laughing.” National Reading Standards Met: Evaluation Strategies Applying Knowledge Multicultural Understanding Applying Language Skills

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Hyperbole

Directions: Read the deﬁ nition of hyperbole below. Find three examples of hyperbole in “Everything Is Everything”. Th en explain why Lauryn Hill may have used hyperbole in each instance.

Hyperbole Example: “My practice extending across the atlas” What is Why did she exaggerate? Lauryn used this exaggeration to Hyperbole? add vibrancy to the text and make the point that she is popular Authors use hyperbole or throughout the world. By exaggerating her popularity, she estab- exaggeration in a text to add humor, to make a point or about a lishes the idea that what she has to say is important and people particular subject or to add vibrancy should listen to her. to the text.

Hyperbole 1: For example: “I tried to do it 1,000 times,” or “The movie was so funny I almost died laughing”. Why did she use hyperbole?

Hyperbole 2:

Why did she use hyperbole? Did you know that the word hyperbole has been shortened, in many instances, to the word “hype?”

Hyperbole 3:

Why did she use hyperbole?

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Life is a Game

Directions: Lauryn Hill creates a metaphor in her song, comparing life to a game. Read the quotes from other notable people who use the metaphor comparing life to a game. Th en write two of your own metaphors comparing life to a game. Lastly, write one metaphor that compares life to something else.

“I have missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions, I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot... and missed. And I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” - Michael Jordan

“Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it’s a game all right -- I’ll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren’t any hot-shots, then what’s a game about? Nothing. No game.” -Holden Cauﬁ eld, Catcher in the Rye

“Th e game of life is not so much holding a good hand as playing a poor hand well.” - H.T. Leslie

“It seems we lose the game before we even start to play. Who made these rules? We’re so confused. Easily led astray.” - Lauryn Hill, Everything Is Everything

Your metaphors on life: Metaphor 1

Metaphor 2

Metaphor 3

National Reading Standards Met: Reading for Perspective Understanding the Human Experience Evaluation Strategies Applying Knowledge Communication Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Communication Strategies Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio D Lesson 3

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Develop a Negative into a Positive

Directions: Lauryn Hill is trying to portray a positive image of Hip Hop. However, Hip Hop is often criticized for using negative language and negative images of women. Pick a point of view. Do you believe Hip Hop is a positive or a negative force? Convince your teacher of your argument.

How to Write A Persuasive Argument • Introduce your position. • List at least three strong reasons WHY your position is the best. • Anticipate and overcome any objections. • Conclude by restating your position.

List 3 positive rappers

List 3 Negative Rappers

National Reading Standards Met: Evaluation Skills Communication Skills Communication Strategies Applying Knowledge Applying Language Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio D Lesson 4

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Where Hip Hop Meets Scripture

Directions: Re-read the chorus of Lauryn Hill’s song. Th en read the passage from the Bible and the Taoist passage below. How are the themes in the three texts similar and diﬀ erent? Do you agree with the philosophy outlined by the three texts? Why or why not?

Everything is everything What is meant to be, will be After winter, must come spring Change, it comes eventually -Lauryn Hill

To everything there is a season and A time for every purpose under heaven -Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1

The way of Tao is this: It strives not, but conquers; it speaks not but all is made clear; it summons not but its house is crowded; it contrives not but the design is perfect. -Lao Tzu, founder of Taoism

National Reading Standards Met: Reading for Perspective Understanding the Human Experience Communication Skills Communication Strategies Applying Language Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio D Lesson 5

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Youth Today

Directions: Lauryn Hill has one solution for youth interested in changing the world. Holden Caufi eld, the main character from Th e Catcher in the Rye, has a diff erent solution. Read the passages below. What is your solution for changing the world? Write a creative narrative that off ers a way to change the world.

Lauryn: Sometimes it seems We’ll touch that dream But things come slow or not at all And the ones on top, won’t make it stop So convinced that they might fall Let’s love ourselves and we can’t fail To make a better situation Tomorrow, our seeds will grow All we need is dedication

Holden: What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff - I mean if they’re running and they don’t look where they’re going I have to come out from some- where and catch them. That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know its crazy, but that’s all the only thing I’d really like to be. I know it’s crazy.

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Theme Study

Directions: Th e stuggles of youth trying to ﬁ nd their identities and coping with society’s ills are common themes in classic American literature. Cite three other books that deal with similar themes. Share your list with your classmates and create a recommended reading list for your school. Book 1: Here is what your citation should look like:

Summary: Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Name. Title. Publication City: Publisher, copyright year.

For example: Okuda, Michael, and Denise Okuda. Star Trek Chronology: Th e History of the Future. New York: Pocket, 1993. Book 2:

Summary:

Book 3:

Summary:

National Reading Standards Met: Evaluating Data Developing Research Skills Paricipating In Society

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What and Who?

Directions: Lauryn Hill makes some obscure references in the rap verse of “Everything Is Everything”. Conduct an Internet search for each term below. Th en write two to three sentences describing each term. Finally, cite the source for your information.

Abyssinian Here is what your citation should look like:

Author’s last name, author’s ﬁ rst name (if available). title of the web page. the name of the entire website. the full date the page was created or last updated (day, month, year). source: the organization that posted it. the date you looked at it. . Cleopatra For example: Nefertiti.Wikipedia.12 June 2007. Wikipedia. 14 June 2007. < http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nefertiti>

source:

Nassau Coliseum

source:

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The Serengeti

Directions: Design a billboard advertisement for the Serengeti National Park. Visit www.serengeti.org to ﬁ nd out more information about the national park in Africa.

The Serengeti Think about... • Why do people want to visit? • What will they see when they visit? • When is the best time to travel there, and why? • Where is it located?

National Reading Standards Met: Understanding the Human Experience Communication Skills Communication Strategies Applying Knowledge Applying Language Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio D Lesson 9

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Rules of Rhetoric

Directions: Lauryn Hill uses rhetorical techniques to persuade her listeners to adopt her brand of youthful idealism. Find an example in the song of each rhetorical technique below. (Th ere may be more than one example.)

Allusion to a noteworthy source:

Appeal to logic:

Irony:

Appeal to ethics:

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Word Origin

Directions: Use a dictionary to fi nd the word origin for each of the words below. Some words may have their origins in four or fi ve diff erent languages. Write down all origins and original words.

Vocabulary Word Origin(s) Original Word(s)

constellation

adjacent

cherubim

scripture

ghetto

linen

convinced

situation

dedication

National Reading Standards Met: Evaluation Strategies Multicultural Understanding Applying Non-English Perspectives

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Keep Hope Alive

Directions: Lauryn Hill’s message is ultimately hopeful. She uses strong imagery, like the changing of the seasons, to imply that positive change will happen in life. Write your own poem or rap that instills a sense of hope in the reader.

Does your poem... • have rhythm? • use ﬁ gurative language like simile, metaphor, and hyperbole? • use literary technique like assonance, alliteration, and onomatopoeia? • stay on topic?

National Reading Standards Met: Communication Skills Communication Strategies Applying Knowledge Multicultural Understanding Applying Language Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Lauryn Hill “Everything Is Everything” Studio D Lesson 12

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You Are Egyptian

Directions: Imagine you are an average ancient Egyptian citizen living during the time of Cleopatra. Write a journal entry that explains what your daily life is like. What are your concerns? What are the current events of the day? Whom do you interact with?

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Be Active, Not Passive!

Directions: Use active verbs to make these sentences more concise and vivid.

1. Nefertiti’s tomb is adjacent to King Tut’s tomb.

2. Th e constellations in the sky are beautiful and form pictures.

3. Cleopatra was having an interesting conversation with Marc Anthony.

4. Th e animals in the Serengeti were migrating through the grasslands.

5. Th e youth were protesting against the war.

6. Lauryn Hill was taught by me everything she knows.

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Understanding the story

Directions: Answer the questions below using complete sentences.

1. Give this song another title. Explain why your title is better.

2. Lauryn Hill makes several biblical allusions in the song. What are they? In your opinion, why does she al- lude to the Bible on so many occassions?

3. How would you summarize Lauryn Hill’s worldview? Justify your answer with examples from the song.

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See you on the Serengeti

Directions: Conduct research on the Serengeti. Th en, imagine you are there. Write a short story about your time on the Serengeti.

Remember: A short story should have a beginning, rising action, a climax, falling action, and an end. Outline each section in the plot of your short story.

Beginning:

Rising Action:

Climax:

Falling Action:

End:

National Reading Standards Met: Communication Skills Communication Strategies Applying Knowledge Developing Research Skills Applying Language Skills ©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC Good Work! You are Leaving Studio D!

©2007 Educational Lyrics LLC National Reading Standards Reading for Perspective Evaluating Data Students read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of ideas and questions, and by posing problems. Th ey gather, evalu- the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to ate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print and respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; non-print texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discover- and for personal fulfi llment. Among these texts are fi ction and ies in ways that suit their purpose and audience. nonfi ction, classic and contemporary works. Developing Research Skills Understanding the Human Experience Students use a variety of technological and information resources Students read a wide range of literature from many periods in (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather many genres to build an understanding of the many dimensions and synthesize information and to create and communicate (e.g., philosophical, ethical, aesthetic) of the human experience. knowledge.

Evaluation Strategies Multicultural Understanding Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, in- Students develop an understanding of and respect for diversity in terpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts. Th ey draw on their prior language use, patterns, and dialects across cultures, ethnic groups, experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, their geographic regions, and social roles. knowledge of word meaning and of other texts, their word iden- tifi cation strategies, and their understanding of textual features (e.g., sound-letter correspondence, sentence structure, context, Applying Non-English Perspectives graphics). Students whose fi rst language is not English make use of their fi rst language to develop competency in the English language arts and to develop understanding of content across the curriculum. Communication Skills Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate eff ectively Participating in Society with a variety of audiences and for diff erent purposes. Students participate as knowledgeable, refl ective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities.

Communication Strategies Students employ Applying Language Skills a wide range of strategies as they write and use diﬀ erent writing Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish process elements appropriately to communicate with diﬀ erent their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and audiences for a variety of purposes. the exchange of information).

Apply Knowledge Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, ﬁ gurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and non-print texts.