BeatBot: Write a Motivational Rap

Show students an online poster or quote about the topic of motivation.

Ask students to define motivation.

Tell students that they will be creating a rap song about motivation.

Tell a personal story or anecdote about motivation and the role it played in helping you or someone you know achieve a goal or get through a difficult time. What was the source of the motivation, and how did the person maintain a positive attitude.

Ask students to share similar stories, if they have any to volunteer.

Brainstorm a list of reasons and situations we need motivation, what are things that can demotivate us, and sources of motivation. Give examples to get students started. For example, we need motivation to use English outside of class. What can demotivate us is when we can't communicate well because someone we are speaking to doesn't understand. We can get motivation for this situation by thinking about our strengths in English and visualizing being successful in our communications next time.

You may have students break up into pairs or small groups and document their ideas on a Google Doc or Padlet or Jot Board or Figma..

In pairs or small groups, have students converse about motivation using the following questions. Explain anything that students may not understand in the question.

1. What motivates you in your personal life? Do you find that these same motivations apply to learning English?
2. How do you define motivation? What does it mean to you?
3. What are some common sources of motivation for people in general? Which of these apply to you?
4. Have you ever experienced a lack of motivation in a certain area of your life? If so, what caused it and how did you overcome it?
5. What role do goals play in motivating you? How do you set goals for yourself?
6. Have you ever tried using visualization techniques to stay motivated? If so, how did they work for you?
7. What motivates you more, positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement? Can you give an example of each?
8. How do you maintain your motivation over a long period of time?
9. Have you ever tried using self-talk as a way of staying motivated? If so, how did you use it and did it help?
10. What advice would you give to someone who is struggling to find motivation in their life?

Encourage students to listen attentively to their classmates and use appropriate turn-taking routines.

After the conversation, ask each group to debrief by sharing something interesting or what they had in common with their classmates or something that was revelatory.

Now have students brainstorm a list of motivation techniques they know. You can get them started by suggesting ideas such as "writing down your goal." Give students a few minutes to individually think and write. Then do a snowball in which they are grouped, share their ideas and add more to the list. Tell students to aim for 10 techniques in their groups. You could have students document their lists on a Google Doc, Padlet Wall, Jotboard, or  Figma . (Other strategies students may come up with are visualization, talking to a trusted friend or family member, having a positive attitude, using positive self-talk, rewards, enjoy / celebrate small successes, ask for direct and honest feedback on performance, get a coach, break down big goals into smaller ones, research effective methods for doing whatever you are trying to do, practice, don't give up, take mistakes and failures as learning experiences, chart your progess, don't rush, be patient, have growth mindset, do things that make you happy).

Then after the groups have listed their strategies, debrief and look for similarities and differences in the lists as a class. Have the class decide on the best / most effective strategies and ask questions of groups that have strategies that are unclear or need more explanation.

Now have students imagine that they want to give some tips or advice about persisting and persevering and using motivational techniques. Optionally, have students work in small groups or pairs. Have them write a few sentences, demonstrating expectations. Collect the sentences and provide feedback on content and mechanics. Have students revise. 

Show a sample rap song created with BeatBot and then demonstrate how to use the BeatBot site. Have students enter their motivational rap lyrics and then edit as desired.

Have students share their raps with you. Ideally, collect them on a class website or LMS so that students can listen to others' motivational raps.

Optionally have students vote on the most inspirational motivational rap!

Have students reflect on the lesson. What did they learn about themselvs and about motivation? What is a technique they use effectively already? What is something new they will try? What is a goal they will apply their motivational techniques to? Learning English? 

Students will be able to carry out short projects using digital media and make decisions about word choices when writing about a given theme or topic. Students will use metacognition to reflect on goal setting and attainment and the motivational factors that influence them.