If you can get the attention of most students these days, well, you're a good teacher. If you can get them to understand what they are learning AND appreciate it, you're an excellent teacher.

How many students actually analyze what they listen to? For instance, here's one from my own school days:

"(Stop)
Oh yes, wait a minute Mister Postman
(Wait)
Wait Mister Postman

Please Mister Postman, look and see
(Oh yeah)
If there's a letter in your bag for me
(Please, Please Mister Postman)
Why's it takin' such a long time
(Oh yeah)
For me to hear from that boy of mine

There must be some word today
From my boyfriend so far away
Pleas Mister Postman, look and see
If there's a letter, a letter for me"

or

"That fateful night the car was stalled
upon the railroad track
I pulled you out and we were safe
but you went running back

Teen angel, can you hear me
Teen angel, can you see me
Are you somewhere up above
And I am still your own true love

What was it you were looking for
that took your life that night
They said they found my high school ring
clutched in your fingers tight"

It's not the words in those, God knows! But we also studied "good" poetry, and even memorized it! Shakespeare, Bryant, Browning, and others. I've forgotten the lyrics, except when a stray one crosses my mind, but I still can recite from "Macbeth."