The Reading / Listening - Ye (formerly Kanye West) - Level 3

The rapper Kanye West has changed his name to Ye. Judges in California approved his request for the name change. Kanye Omari West is the name that appeared on his birth certificate. However, the artist now has a new, shorter name. Ye, 44, has no legal middle name or surname. He has wanted to change his name for a long time and finally, his wish is now reality. Three years ago, he announced that he was, "the being formerly known as Kanye West". Ye did not give any reasons for his name change. He said it was for "personal reasons" but did not offer any more explanations. The rapper has had the nickname Ye for a long time. It is even the name of his eighth studio album.

The music website billboard.com reported that one of the requirements for name changes in California is for the person to publish it in a newspaper. This is so anyone who might be harmed by the change can object. Ye did this four different times in September. He put notices that he wished to change his name in the Daily Commerce newspaper. One of the only times Ye has talked about his new name was three years ago. He spoke to a radio host called Big Boy. He said "Ye" was from the Bible and that it means "you". He said: "I believe "ye" is the most commonly used word in the Bible, and in the Bible, it means "you". So, I'm you, I'm us, it's us."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Ye (formerly Kanye West) - Level 0,  Ye (formerly Kanye West) - Level 1   or  Ye (formerly Kanye West) - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kanye-west-name-change-ye-194657972.html
  • https://news.sky.com/story/kanye-west-officially-changes-his-name-to-ye-12437924
  • https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9646949/kanye-west-changed-name-ye/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. RAP MUSIC: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about rap. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       rapper / name change / birth certificate / surname / middle name / nickname / album
       music website / newspaper / California / September / radio host / Bible / years ago
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. ONE NAME: Students A strongly believe we only need one name; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. GIVEN NAMES: What do you think of these given names, and why? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

 

What I Think

Why?

My name

 

 

My parents' names

 

 

My favourite singer's name

 

 

The name of my country's leader

 

 

My grandparents' names

 

 

The name of my speaking partner

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. ARTIST: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "artist". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. MUSIC GENRES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best music genres at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Rap
  • Classical
  • Pop
  • Country
  • Rock
  • Electro
  • Opera
  • Jazz

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. approved a. A family name.
      2. request b. A thing that is asked for.
      3. appeared c. A paper that shows where and when someone was born, and details of who their parents were.
      4. birth certificate d. Accepted something as being good or acceptable.
      5. legal e. A shorter name that friends call you.
      6. surname f. Was written somewhere.
      7. nickname g. OK by the law.

    Paragraph 2

      8. requirement h. Hurt.
      9. publish i. A small piece of information in a newspaper, on a website or on an information board.
      10. notice j. The presenter of a television or radio programme.
      11. harmed k. Something that is needed to do something.
      12. object l. Print something for people to see.
      13. host m. Very often; frequently.
      14. commonly n. Say you disagree with or dislike something.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Judges in New York said it was OK for Kanye West to change his name.   T / F
  2. The name Kanye did not appear on Ye's birth certificate.     T / F
  3. Ye still has a legal middle name and surname.     T / F
  4. "Ye" is the name of Ye's eighth studio album.     T / F
  5. There are no requirements to change your name in California.     T / F
  6. Ye put a notice in a newspaper four times about his name change.     T / F
  7. Ye spoke about his name change to a radio host 10 years ago.     T / F
  8. Ye said there is no word in the Bible used more than "ye".     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. approved
  2. request
  3. legal
  4. wish
  5. personal
  6. requirements
  7. harmed
  8. object
  9. talked
  10. commonly
  1. hurt
  2. desire
  3. conditions
  4. spoken
  5. ok'd
  6. protest
  7. private
  8. appeal
  9. frequently
  10. lawful

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. Judges in California approved
  2. the name that appeared on his birth
  3. Ye, 44, has no legal middle
  4. He said it was for personal
  5. It is even the name of his eighth
  6. publish it
  7. anyone who might be harmed
  8. notices that he wished
  9. He spoke to a radio
  10. the most commonly used
  1. in a newspaper
  2. name
  3. host
  4. word in the Bible
  5. his request
  6. reasons
  7. to change his name
  8. studio album
  9. by the change
  10. certificate

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
finally
appeared
personal
formerly
artist
album
approved
reasons

The rapper Kanye West has changed his name to Ye. Judges in California (1) _____________________ his request for the name change. Kanye Omari West is the name that (2) _____________________ on his birth certificate. However, the (3) _____________________ now has a new, shorter name. Ye, 44, has no legal middle name or surname. He has wanted to change his name for a long time and (4) _____________________, his wish is now reality. Three years ago, he announced that he was, "the being (5) _____________________ known as Kanye West". Ye did not give any (6) _____________________ for his name change. He said it was for "(7) _____________________ reasons" but did not offer any more explanations. The rapper has had the nickname Ye for a long time. It is even the name of his eighth studio (8) _____________________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
only
requirements
commonly
wished
object
means
publish
host

The music website billboard.com reported that one of the (9) _____________________ for name changes in California is for the person to (10) _____________________ it in a newspaper. This is so anyone who might be harmed by the change can (11) _____________________. Ye did this four different times in September. He put notices that he (12) _____________________ to change his name in the Daily Commerce newspaper. One of the (13) _____________________ times Ye has talked about his new name was three years ago. He spoke to a radio (14) _____________________ called Big Boy. He said "Ye" was from the Bible and that it means "you". He said: "I believe "ye" is the most (15) _____________________ used word in the Bible, and in the Bible, it (16) _____________________ "you". So, I'm you, I'm us, it's us."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Judges in California approved ______
     a.  his requested
     b.  his reject
     c.  his leak West
     d.  his request
2)  He has wanted to change his name for a long time and finally, his wish ______
     a.  is now reality
     b.  is now realism
     c.  is now realty
     d.  is known reality
3)  He said it was for "personal reasons" but did not offer ______
     a.  any morish explanations
     b.  any Moor explanations
     c.  any moor explanations
     d.  any more explanations
4)  The rapper has had the nickname Ye for ______
     a.  a longs time
     b.  a longing time
     c.  a long time
     d.  a wrong time
5)  It is even the name of his ______
     a.  eighth studio album
     b.  eighth stew duo album
     c.  eighth study album
     d.  eighth studious album

6)  one of the requirements for name changes in California is for the person ______
     a.  to published it
     b.  to publish it
     c.  to publishes it
     d.  to publisher it
7)  This is so anyone who might be harmed by the ______
     a.  change can subject
     b.  change can object
     c.  change can inject
     d.  change can reject
8)  One of the only times Ye has talked about ______
     a.  his news name
     b.  his newly name
     c.  his new name
     d.  his anew name
9)  He said "Ye" was from the Bible and that ______
     a.  it mean "you"
     b.  it meanings "you"
     c.  it meaning "you"
     d.  it means "you"
10)  He said: "I believe "ye" is the most ______
     a.  commoner used word
     b.  commonly used word
     c.  come on used word
     d.  come only used word

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The rapper Kanye West has (1) ____________________ to Ye. Judges in California approved his request for the name change. Kanye Omari West is the name that appeared on (2) ____________________. However, the artist now has a new, shorter name. Ye, 44, has no legal middle name or surname. He has wanted to change his name for a long (3) ____________________, his wish is now reality. Three years ago, he announced that he was, "the being (4) ____________________ Kanye West". Ye did not give (5) ____________________ his name change. He said it was for "personal reasons" but did not offer any more explanations. The rapper has had the nickname Ye for a long time. It is even the name of his (6) ____________________.

The music website billboard.com reported that (7) ____________________ requirements for name changes in California is for the (8) ____________________ it in a newspaper. This is so anyone who might be harmed by the change can object. Ye did this (9) ____________________ in September. He put notices that he wished to change his name in the Daily Commerce newspaper. One of (10) ____________________ Ye has talked about his new name was three years ago. He spoke to a (11) ____________________ Big Boy. He said "Ye" was from the Bible and that it means "you". He said: "I believe "ye" is the (12) ____________________ word in the Bible, and in the Bible, it means "you". So, I'm you, I'm us, it's us."

Comprehension questions

  1. Where were the judges who approved Ye's name change request?
  2. Where did the name Kanye Omari West appear?
  3. For how long had Ye wanted to change his name?
  4. What reasons did Ye give for his change of name?
  5. What was the name of Ye's eighth studio album?
  6. What website reported name-change requirements?
  7. How many times did Ye put a notice in a newspaper?
  8. When did Ye speak to a radio host called Big Boy?
  9. In the Bible, what does the word "ye" mean?
  10. What did Ye say was the most commonly used world in the Bible?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Where were the judges who approved Ye's name change request?
a) in court
b) California
c) in an office
d) on the Internet
2) Where did the name Kanye Omari West appear?
a) on the Internet
b) on the radio
c) in neon lights
d) on his birth certificate
3) For how long had Ye wanted to change his name?
a) ages and ages
b) years and years and years
c) a long time
d) forever
4) What reasons did Ye give for his change of name?
a) personal reasons
b) many reasons
c) strange reasons
d) compelling reasons
5) What was the name of Ye's eighth studio album?
a) West
b) Ye
c) KW
d) Kanye

6) What website reported name-change requirements?
a) billboard.com
b) kanyewest.com
c) namechange
d) breakingnewsenglish.com
7) How many times did Ye put a notice in a newspaper?
a) 6
b) 5
c) 4
d) 3
8) When did Ye speak to a radio host called Big Boy?
a) three years ago
b) two years ago
c) the day before yesterday
d) a month ago
9) In the Bible, what does the word "ye" mean?
a) we
b) there
c) yes
d) you
10) What did Ye say was the most commonly used world in the Bible?
a) we
b) he
c) ye
d) be

Role play

Role  A – Rap
You think rap is the best music. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): rock, classical or jazz.

Role  B – Rock
You think rock is the best music. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): rap, classical or jazz.

Role  C – Classical
You think classical is the best music. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): rock, rap or jazz.

Role  D – Jazz
You think jazz is the best music. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): rock, classical or rap.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'name'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'change'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • approved
    • birth
    • shorter
    • finally
    • personal
    • eighth
    • reported
    • publish
    • harmed
    • radio
    • means
    • commonly

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Ye (formerly Kanye West)

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'rapper'?
    3. What do you know about Ye (formerly known as Kanye West)?
    4. What do you think of Ye changing his name?
    5. Why do you think he changed his name?
    6. How happy are you with your name?
    7. What would you change your name to?
    8. What do you think of middle names?
    9. What do you think of Ye's songs and raps?
    10. Do you have a nickname?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'name'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do your names mean?
    5. Who is the best rapper ever?
    6. What do you think of hyphenated names?
    7. Do you prefer to be called by your given name or surname?
    8. How does Ye compare to other rappers?
    9. Do you think the name Ye or Kanye is better?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Ye?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    The rapper Kanye West has changed his name to Ye. (1) ____ in California approved his request for the name change. Kanye Omari West is the name that (2) ____ on his birth certificate. However, the artist now has a new, (3) ____ name. Ye, 44, has no legal middle name or surname. He has wanted to change his name for a long time and (4) ____, his wish is now reality. Three years ago, he announced that he was, "the being formerly known as Kanye West". Ye did not give any reasons (5) ____ his name change. He said it was for "personal reasons" but did not offer any more explanations. The rapper has had the nickname Ye for a long time. It is (6) ____ the name of his eighth studio album.

    The music website billboard.com reported that (7) ____ of the requirements for name changes in California is for the person to publish it in a newspaper. This is so anyone who might be harmed (8) ____ the change can object. Ye did this four different times in September. He put notices that he wished (9) ____ change his name in the Daily Commerce newspaper. One of the (10) ____ times Ye has talked about his new name was three years ago. He spoke to a radio host called Big Boy. He said "Ye" was from the Bible and that it (11) ____ "you". He said: "I believe "ye" is the most commonly used word in the Bible, and in the Bible, it means "you". So, I'm you, I'm us, it's (12) ____."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     Judged     (b)     Judges     (c)     Judgment     (d)     Adjudged    
    2. (a)     appear     (b)     appeared     (c)     apparent     (d)     appearance    
    3. (a)     shorts     (b)     shorten     (c)     shored     (d)     shorter    
    4. (a)     final     (b)     finally     (c)     finals     (d)     finality    
    5. (a)     on     (b)     by     (c)     at     (d)     for    
    6. (a)     off     (b)     odd     (c)     even     (d)     every    
    7. (a)     one     (b)     once     (c)     only     (d)     ones    
    8. (a)     of     (b)     on     (c)     by     (d)     at    
    9. (a)     as     (b)     at     (c)     for     (d)     to    
    10. (a)     only     (b)     just     (c)     merely     (d)     barely    
    11. (a)     means     (b)     meaning     (c)     mean     (d)     meanie    
    12. (a)     us     (b)     up     (c)     uh     (d)     um

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Judges in California papvoerd his request
    2. birth eacttfriice
    3. middle name or sumrnea
    4. he cnnueanod that he was
    5. more tpaasxeinnol
    6. the name of his eighth siudot album

    Paragraph 2

    1. one of the eeruinrsetqm
    2. ubpilhs it in a newspaper
    3. anyone who might be hdamer
    4. ensotic that he wished to change his name
    5. He spoke to a radio osht
    6. the most omlynmoc used word

    Put the text back together

    (...)  for the name change. Kanye Omari West is the name that appeared on his birth certificate. However, the artist now
    (...)  publish it in a newspaper. This is so anyone who might be harmed by the change can object. Ye did this four
    (...)  newspaper. One of the only times Ye has talked about his new name was three years ago. He spoke to a radio
    (...)  host called Big Boy. He said "Ye" was from the Bible and that it means
    (  1  ) The rapper Kanye West has changed his name to Ye. Judges in California approved his request
    (...)  has a new, shorter name. Ye, 44, has no legal middle name or surname. He has wanted to change his name for a long
    (...)  The music website billboard.com reported that one of the requirements for name changes in California is for the person to
    (...)  known as Kanye West". Ye did not give any reasons for his name change. He said it was for "personal
    (...)  "you". He said: "I believe "ye" is the most commonly used word in the
    (...)  different times in September. He put notices that he wished to change his name in the Daily Commerce
    (...)  reasons" but did not offer any more explanations. The rapper has had
    (...)  time and finally, his wish is now reality. Three years ago, he announced that he was, "the being formerly
    (...)   Bible, and in the Bible, it means "you". So, I'm you, I'm us, it's us."
    (...)  the nickname Ye for a long time. It is even the name of his eighth studio album.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. in   California   request   .   Judges   approved   his   name-change
    2. his   appeared   certificate   .   The   on   that   name   birth
    3. shorter   artist   a   The   name   .   has   much   now
    4. it   for   reasons   .   personal   said   was   He
    5. studio   of   the   eighth   name   album   .   It's   his
    6. changes   .   for   the   One   name   of   requirements
    7. the   might   change   .   harmed   by   who   Anyone   be
    8. did   different   this   four   in   Ye   times   September   .
    9. Big Boy   .   radio   host   a   to   spoke   called   He
    10. The   in   most   Bible   .   the   word   commonly   used

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The rapper Kanye West has changed his name to Ye. Judges in California approved / approval his request for the name change. Kanye Omari West is the name that appearance / appeared on his birth certificate. However, the artist now has a new, shorten / shorter name. Ye, 44, has no / not legal middle name or surname. He has wanted to change his name for a / the long time and finally / finality, his wish is now reality. Three years ago, he announced that he was, "the being formerly knowing / known as Kanye West". Ye did not give any reasons for / from his name change. He said it was for "personal reason / reasons" but did not offer any more explanations. The rapper has had the nickname Ye for a long time. It is odd / even the name of his eighth studio album.

    The music website billboard.com reported what / that one of the requirements for name changes in California is for / at the person to publish it in a newspaper. This is so / such anyone who might be harmed by the change can object / subject. Ye did this four different times / timings in September. He put notices that he wished to change his name on / in the Daily Commerce newspaper. One of the only times / time Ye has talked about his new name was three years ago. He asked / spoke to a radio host called Big Boy. He said "Ye" was from the Bible and that it meaning / means "you". He said: "I believe "ye" is the most commonly /common used word in the Bible, and in the Bible, it means "you". So, I'm you, I'm us, it's us."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    Th_  r_pp_r  K_ny_  W_st  h_s  ch_ng_d  h_s  n_m_  t_  Y_.  J_dg_s  _n  C_l_f_rn__  _ppr_v_d  h_s  r_q__st  f_r  th_  n_m_  ch_ng_.  K_ny_  _m_r_  W_st  _s  th_  n_m_  th_t  _pp__r_d  _n  h_s  b_rth  c_rt_f_c_t_.  H_w_v_r,  th_  _rt_st  n_w  h_s  _  n_w,  sh_rt_r  n_m_.  Y_,  44,  h_s  n_  l_g_l  m_ddl_  n_m_  _r  s_rn_m_.  H_  h_s  w_nt_d  t_  ch_ng_  h_s  n_m_  f_r  _  l_ng  t_m_  _nd  f_n_lly,  h_s  w_sh  _s  n_w  r__l_ty.  Thr__  y__rs  _g_,  h_  _nn__nc_d  th_t  h_  w_s,  "th_  b__ng  f_rm_rly  kn_wn  _s  K_ny_  W_st".  Y_  d_d  n_t  g_v_  _ny  r__s_ns  f_r  h_s  n_m_  ch_ng_.  H_  s__d  _t  w_s  f_r  "p_rs_n_l  r__s_ns"  b_t  d_d  n_t  _ff_r  _ny  m_r_  _xpl_n_t__ns.  Th_  r_pp_r  h_s  h_d  th_  n_ckn_m_  Y_  f_r  _  l_ng  t_m_.  _t  _s  _v_n  th_  n_m_  _f  h_s  __ghth  st_d__  _lb_m. 

    Th_  m_s_c  w_bs_t_  b_llb__rd.c_m  r_p_rt_d  th_t  _n_  _f  th_  r_q__r_m_nts  f_r  n_m_  ch_ng_s  _n  C_l_f_rn__  _s  f_r  th_  p_rs_n  t_  p_bl_sh  _t  _n  _  n_wsp_p_r.  Th_s  _s  s_  _ny_n_  wh_  m_ght  b_  h_rm_d  by  th_  ch_ng_  c_n  _bj_ct.  Y_  d_d  th_s  f__r  d_ff_r_nt  t_m_s  _n  S_pt_mb_r.  H_  p_t  n_t_c_s  th_t  h_  w_sh_d  t_  ch_ng_  h_s  n_m_  _n  th_  D__ly  C_mm_rc_  n_wsp_p_r.  _n_  _f  th_  _nly  t_m_s  Y_  h_s  t_lk_d  _b__t  h_s  n_w  n_m_  w_s  thr__  y__rs  _g_.  H_  sp_k_  t_  _  r_d__  h_st  c_ll_d  B_g  B_y.  H_  s__d  "Y_"  w_s  fr_m  th_  B_bl_  _nd  th_t  _t  m__ns  "y__".  H_  s__d:  "_  b_l__v_  "y_"  _s  th_  m_st  c_mm_nly  _s_d  w_rd  _n  th_  B_bl_,  _nd  _n  th_  B_bl_,  _t  m__ns  "y__".  S_,  _'m  y__,  _'m  _s,  _t's  _s."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the rapper kanye west has changed his name to ye judges in california approved his request for the name change kanye omari west is the name that appeared on his birth certificate however the artist now has a new shorter name ye 44 has no legal middle name or surname he has wanted to change his name for a long time and finally his wish is now reality three years ago he announced that he was the being formerly known as kanye west ye did not give any reasons for his name change he said it was for personal reasons but did not offer any more explanations the rapper has had the nickname ye for a long time it is even the name of his eighth studio album

    the music website billboardcom reported that one of the requirements for name changes in california is for the person to publish it in a newspaper this is so anyone who might be harmed by the change can object ye did this four different times in september he put notices that he wished to change his name in the daily commerce newspaper one of the only times ye has talked about his new name was three years ago he spoke to a radio host called big boy he said ye was from the bible and that it means you he said i believe ye is the most commonly used word in the bible and in the bible it means you so im you im us its us

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TherapperKanyeWesthaschangedhisnametoYe.JudgesinCaliforniaa
    pprovedhisrequestforthenamechange.KanyeOmariWestisthenamet
    hatappearedonhisbirthcertificate.However,theartistnowhasanew,s
    hortername.Ye,44,hasnolegalmiddlenameorsurname.Hehaswante
    dtochangehisnameforalongtimeandfinally,hiswishisnowreality.Thre
    eyearsago,heannouncedthathewas,"thebeingformerlyknownasKan
    yeWest".Yedidnotgiveanyreasonsforhisnamechange.Hesaiditwasfo
    r"personalreasons"butdidnotofferanymoreexplanations.Therapper
    hashadthenicknameYeforalongtime.Itiseventhenameofhiseighthst
    udioalbum.Themusicwebsitebillboard.comreportedthatoneofthereq
    uirementsfornamechangesinCaliforniaisforthepersontopublishitina
    newspaper.Thisissoanyonewhomightbeharmedbythechangecanobj
    ect.YedidthisfourdifferenttimesinSeptember.Heputnoticesthathewi
    shedtochangehisnameintheDailyCommercenewspaper.Oneoftheon
    lytimesYehastalkedabouthisnewnamewasthreeyearsago.Hespoket
    oaradiohostcalledBigBoy.Hesaid"Ye"wasfromtheBibleandthatitmea
    ns"you".Hesaid:"Ibelieve"ye"isthemostcommonlyusedwordintheBi
    ble,andintheBible,itmeans"you".So,I'myou,I'mus,it'sus."

    Free writing

    Write about Ye for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

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    _____________________________________________________________________________

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    _____________________________________________________________________________

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    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

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    Academic writing

    Rap is the best form of music. Discuss.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. YE (FORMERLY KANYE WEST): Make a poster about Ye. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. MIDDLE NAMES: Write a magazine article about scrapping middle names. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on rap. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on rap. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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