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- BUSINESS, Page 59Business NotesACADEMICSRapping Out A Lesson
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- In the 1970s a TV cartoon series called Schoolhouse Rock
- used catchy tunes to teach children about everything from verbs
- to the Constitution. Now teacher Ross Kapstein of Atlanta has
- given that idea an '80s twist by writing and recording a
- rap-song tribute to the basic theories of economics. Employing
- a funky beat and styling the title, RUN G.N.P., after rap stars
- Run-D.M.C., Kapstein hopes to help his seventh-graders at Martin
- Luther King Jr. Middle School remember concepts like the law of
- supply and demand. Sample verse: "People's tastes change and so
- do I/ If I want to stay in business, I'd better comply."
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- Kapstein, who teaches economics as part of his geography
- and history classes, has made a video of his students singing
- the rap, and hopes to release RUN G.N.P. as a single for use by
- other teachers. Says he: "Most of the students in economics
- classes are high school seniors, because they all put it off.
- Maybe this will get them interested sooner."
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