Teneia

Learning Materials

Wordplay is brought to you by the Office of English Language Programs, American Music Abroad, and American Voices.

Artist: Teneia

(Click to view Snapshots)

We have created lesson plans and a video series to use in the classroom. Scroll down to see all lesson materials or download the full package here.

Featured Song: Our Rebellious Hearts

by Teneia

Download Our Rebellious Hearts by Teneia (mp3)

Video Activities

Program Materials

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Below is an incredible collection from American English to provide fun new ways of teaching and learning English. Use these files in conjunction with the song in this language package for an integrated teaching experience. More available at https://americanenglish.state.gov/

Our Rebellious Hearts (feat. Rita Brent)

By Teneia and Rita Brent

Verse 1
Hey, hey, hey! We are a revolution
Let the classroom start today (start today)
Get your notebooks open, pencils sharpen, we’re gonna study love and pain
From the building tops to the (never-ending free world)
Wild women lead the way.
Read the script to tear down
Every little skyline and reinvent in your own way and use it.
Uh- uh-
Uh- uh-
(Our rebellious hearts) Use it.
Uh- uh-
Uh- uh-
(Our rebellious hearts)

Verse 2
Hey, hey, hey! We are a revolution
Let the choir start singing today (singing today)
Get in harmony with the melody to transition before the break (down)
From the mountaintop to the (never-ending free world)
Wild women lead the way.
Let the tempo slow down
Let’s all go now and reinvent in your own way and use it.
Dancing in the middle. Uh- uh-
Dancing in the moonlight. Uh- uh-
Dancing in the stories of our lives
(Our rebellious hearts) Use it.
Dancing in the middle. Uh- uh-
Dancing in the moonlight. Uh- uh-
Dancing in the stories of our lives
(Our rebellious hearts)

Rap (by Rita Brent)
Hey Hey Hey
From Maya A. to Yonce From Meg Thee Stallion to Melinda gates
We run the gamut, Didn’t come to play
Send the bat signal
We save the day
I’m nurturing but don’t push me (It’s) My body my gu-tonomy.
Try to hush us
We gone step up
Plan A ain’t no backup
Empowerment is our element
Protesting in the elements
You bring the heat
We walk through the fire
Calm in the storm
No ARC required
The wild-er the be-tter
The woman
Respect her
No evolution
Without revolution
Love transfusion
That’s a resolution

Final Chorus
Our rebellious hearts
Our rebellious hearts
Our rebellious hearts
Our rebellious hearts

For each heading in the materials, we have identified an icon to help instructors quickly find and identify information. Please use them when creating any new materials or adapting previous materials. The icon should be left justified and appear below the section heading. Any text should appear to the right of the icon.

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Snapshots

Click Image to View Snapshots!

Short question videos to use in the classroom to start new conversations in a modern “Stories” format. Break the ice in new groups or shake up the routine. Teachers can also pair these videos with games below.

ACTIVITIES

These short games can be used with the Snapshot videos for a quick activity in the classroom.

About The Artist

Teneia

Genre: Folk, Soul, Rock & Roll

Location: Jackson, Mississippi, United States

Group Size: 1

Artist Homepage: https://www.teneia.com/

Artist Links:

Biography

One of Teneia’s most prominent pieces, “Stand,” earned a placement in the HBO documentary, “Prom Night in Mississippi” (2008) featuring Morgan Freeman. “Stand” embodies Teneia’s ability as an artist to address deeply rooted social issues fearlessly and confidently. Her true talent however, is how she strips down the audience, leaving their minds filled with reflection and their hearts filled with hope.

Her side project, Heart Society was also selected to perform a three week long tour on the continent of Africa in April of 2019 by the US State Department organization, American Music Abroad. All while spreading a message of love and equality.

She is an advocate for the state of Mississippi and the city of Jackson. In 2020, Teneia released ‘City with Soul’ ft. 5th Child supporting the promotional campaign for Visit Jackson. The video has over 100,000 views and has been streamed on all digital platforms.

Two of Teneia’s songs, “Call Somebody” and “Beautiful Mess’ ‘were featured in the Netflix LGBTQ+ show, Eastsiders created by Mississippi native Kit Williamson.

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About the Office of English Language Programs

More great information for teachers to use in the English classroom can be found at: https://americanenglish.state.gov/

Promoting the learning and teaching of American English around the world is an integral part of the Department of State’s efforts to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Increasing the English language capacity of audiences overseas deepens and enriches their engagement with American counterparts and builds lasting bridges between cultures. English language learning is also key to increasing access to the many exchange programs administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and other academic and professional exchange opportunities in the United States, particularly for potential grantees from underrepresented groups, including women and minorities. In addition, English language programs advance the Department of State’s economic statecraft and foreign assistance goals by expanding access to the local and global job markets, particularly among youth.

The Office of English Language Programs designs and manages programs to promote language learning and support the teaching of English in countries around the world. These programs are administered through local American Embassies and Consulates and are overseen by Regional English Language Officers. The Office of English Language Programs also provides academic expertise and develops English teaching and learning resources for use worldwide. The American English website provides links to multimedia resources and information on exchange opportunities for teachers and students of English as a foreign language.

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Wordplay is brought to you by the Office of English Language Programs, American Music Abroad, and American Voices.

More information available at:
https://americanenglish.state.gov/