Long division and ecosystems may not be typical subject matter for rap lyrics, but they were among the topics set to rhythm and rhyme at Merion Elementary's Third Annual Fourth-Grade Rap Battle, which was held on Friday, May 9, 2025 in the school auditorium.

Students, many of whom wore coordinating outfits including necklaces, sunglasses, matching t-shirts and baseball caps, performed raps they had written in front a panel of distinguished judges.

Judges included Superintendent Dr. Frank Ranelli, Principal Dr. Toby Albanese, Acting Assistant to the Superintendent Scott Weinstein, Curriculum Supervisors Drew Gingrich and KD Davenport, Communications Director Amy Buckman and Speech Therapist Gina Ruzzi.

Performances were rated for creativity, information, articulation and stage presence on a scale of 1-4. It was impossible to pick just one winner out of all of the fantastic performances. After each one, the judges shared positive feedback with the talented performers.

Students from 4W raps were titled, "The Amazing Ecocolumn," "Fun Math," "The Great Math Rap," and "Science and Math Are A Blast."

Students from 4Y raps were titled, "EBIR: Experience-Based Informational Rap," "Mathematician Mashup," "S'cool" and "The Super Scientific Social Study."

Students from 4G raps were titled, "Ecosystems" (2 different versions!), "Electricity" and "Rap the Maps."

You can see photos of the rappers in the slide show below.