Whip My Hair

Since I began teaching at Wilson, I've become introduced to all the "cool" things that middle-schoolers are doing, listening to, watching, and wearing nowadays.  The most interesting part so far is the music, which is far different than what I would have listened to when I was in middle school.  Remember N'Sync?  Britney Spears?  Puddle of Mud?  Dixie Chicks?  Not at Wilson!  What I get usually comes in the form of "bee-boxin'" (beatboxing) every day during first period from one of the boys in the back row.  Or I get girls dancing in the hallways and I have to remind them of how many minutes they have to get to class (I don't like to just yell at them to stop, although some of my neighbor teachers do).  

Lately a lot of my sixth-grade girls have been singing a song called "Whip My Hair" during their free time (or reading time, or writing time...you get the picture).  So I came home to look it up because I was curious...and it was catchy.  It's by Willow Smith.  Yes, she's the daughter of Will and Jada Pinket Smith.  Yes, she's nine.  But the song is cute and I think it's got a pretty good message, actually.  And is way better than what these kids COULD be listening to.

So anyway, here's a video of Willow singing "Whip My Hair".

PS--most of the adults are confused by the kids' trends.  It's actually very comical.  For example, this week is Red Ribbon Week and the kids are allowed to dress up to a theme on the different days.  Today was '70s day and when we were in the library, one of the old librarians and a plainclothes cop were talking with some of the students what styles were like in the '70s.  The cop called himself an "aspiring hippie" and proclaimed that his hair was halfway down his back.  One of the little girls in my class promptly said, "Well, Mr. ________, imma ax one thang.  Did you whip it?"  And the cop asked, "Whip what?"  And the girl and all her friends broke out in song.  I thought it was quite comical, but the cop really didn't know what was going on...