Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, August 6, 1994                   TAG: 9408080032
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SUMMER-SCHOOL 1ST-GRADERS PUT WORDS TO ROANOKE RICHES

Nothing crude, violent or obscene; they wanted to show that rap music can be positive, not destructive.

From the Mill Mountain Zoo to theaters in shopping malls to the City Market, the first-graders found things they liked in Roanoke.

On a series of field trips this summer to learn more about the city, the youngsters found what excited and pleased them: good restaurants, nice houses, Center in the Square, shopping malls, friendly people and great schools with computers, too.

They decided to focus on the city's positive attractions, not its problems.

Fourteen students in the summer enrichment program at the Forest Park New American Magnet School collaborated on the song, with advice and help from Danner, their teacher.

Lauren Henschel, 7, said the students worked together, making suggestions in different parts of the song.

"We talked about it and changed some things,'' she said.

Javonte Ashford, 6, said their teacher helped them put the song together and helped with the rhymes. Without her, he said, they might not have finished.

Lois Trent, principal of the Forest Park summer school, said the rap song was part of the summer program's theme, "The World Around Me."

To become more knowledgeable about the city, the children visited Mayor David Bowers' office, City Council chambers, the city's 911 dispatch center and St. Andrew's Catholic Church.

They even visited Lewis Gale Hospital's maternity ward to learn about families and to see where they begin. The maternity ward did not make it into the rap song, but the zoo and the City Market did.

The song, in part, says:

"We have lots of theaters and a wonderful zoo.

"Yes we do, yes we do, yes we do, do, do!!!

"Our downtown has the Market and the Center in the Square.

"There is so much to see and do, you could spend the whole day there."

Trent said that the song shows good writing skills by the first-graders, although it may lack a professional touch. It ends this way:

"We have very, very nice houses you can buy for a real good price.

"The people are real friendly; you'll find them very nice!

"So move to Roanoke, please do, please do!

"So move to Roanoke, please do, do, do!!"

The children clap their hands rhythmically to create the rap beat as they sing.

The class rehearsed Thursday to prepare for Friday's presentation before their parents. Summer school traditionally ends with programs by students.

Approximately 175 students have attended the enrichment program at Forest Park, which includes two groups. Story Book Club provides language arts, skills and computer instruction for kindergarten and first grade students. The Competence Connection offers instruction in creative writing, problem solving and economics for fourth- and fifth-graders.