Unit 11
"They Can Never Stop Me"
This song includes fifth grade vocabulary words that students are likely to encounter on state tests. It teaches the following words: achievement, approximate, astound, challenge, confident, decline, detect, impressive, independent and reliable. In this song, find out how Ben Underwood overcomes his obstacles in an amazing way!
Intro
Little Ben was born in California,
A little baby but he’s looking quite normal.
So his mom was so surprised
To find he had cancer in his eyes.
The doctors said, "We can save his eyes,
But if the cancer spreads, your boy could die."
His mom thought for a while, then she declined,
She said, "No, I don’t care if my boy’s blind."
So the doctors removed his eyes,
Now he couldn’t see, but they had saved his life.
So yeah, you think your life is hard?
Try growing up with no sight at all.
Life challenged Ben, it made him fight,
So Ben learned to see without the light.
Yes, this will shock and astound you,
Ben learned to see using sound, dude.
He started making clicks, and it’s strange,
When he walked around, yeah the sound would change.
He could hear a "click" sound bounce around,
You know, bounce off a wall or off the ground.
So he could discover and detect
Cars and walls, and he wouldn’t forget.
No one told him, "You can’t; just quit it,"
So Ben just did it!
Had the chips stacked against him, but he rose up!
Had the chips stacked against him, but he rose up!
Had the chips stacked against him, but he rose up!
But he rose up, but he rose up!
Listen up, man, can you believe it?
This kid Ben rocking this amazing achievement?
Something he did and it was never easy,
But he did it with a smile like it was breezy.
And he didn’t feel sad for himself or bad for himself,
He learned to rap for himself.
You won’t believe it, but hold up, wait,
He learned to play b-ball and rollerblade.
’Cause with his clicks he could approximate,
Figure out roughly where the basket lay.
I mean, he wasn’t starring in the NBA,
But his jump shot was pretty good—ha ha.
He invented a reliable way,
Something he could depend on for like finding his way.
He was a fighter, like Cassius Clay or Rocky,
You say, "You can’t"; he says, "Watch me!"
Had the chips stacked against him, but he rose up!
Had the chips stacked against him, but he rose up!
Had the chips stacked against him, but he rose up!
But he rose up, but he rose up!
’Cause he was confident, believed in himself,
He was independent, not needing your help.
To see this kid surfing, it’s so impressive,
So amazing, I mean it will leave you breathless.
Ben saw like a dolphin does,
With his clicks bouncing off the walls and stuff.
No one told him, "You can’t; just quit it,"
So Ben just did it!
This song tells the true story of an extraordinary boy named Ben Underwood. Despite being blind, Ben invented an incredible way of moving through the world.
You'll learn these words: achievement, approximate, astound, challenge, confident, decline, detect, impressive, independent, reliable.
You'll learn these words: achievement, approximate, astound, challenge, confident, decline, detect, impressive, independent, reliable.
decline (verb)
To refuse to accept; to say "no" to. Nick was offered a spot on the basketball team, but he declined because he'd rather learn how to break-dance.
To refuse to accept; to say "no" to. Nick was offered a spot on the basketball team, but he declined because he'd rather learn how to break-dance.
challenge (verb)
To invite others to take part in a contest. "You dare to spit on my shoe?" the prince yelled. "I challenge you to a duel!"
(noun) A difficult job or task. It was a real challenge for Opie to not eat all the cookies in the bag-they were so delicious!
Other forms: That last level of the video game was definitely the most challenging (adj).
To invite others to take part in a contest. "You dare to spit on my shoe?" the prince yelled. "I challenge you to a duel!"
(noun) A difficult job or task. It was a real challenge for Opie to not eat all the cookies in the bag-they were so delicious!
Other forms: That last level of the video game was definitely the most challenging (adj).
astound (verb)
To fill with surprise and wonder; to amaze. Grandma was astounded to learn that I could stand on my head.
To fill with surprise and wonder; to amaze. Grandma was astounded to learn that I could stand on my head.
detect (verb)
To find or discover something; notice. Scientists recently detected a powerful earthquake underground.
Other forms: Smoke detectors (noun) figure out if there is smoke in your house and then set off an alarm.
To find or discover something; notice. Scientists recently detected a powerful earthquake underground.
Other forms: Smoke detectors (noun) figure out if there is smoke in your house and then set off an alarm.
achievement (noun)
Something done successfully; something gained by working or trying hard. Winning Wimbledon was the biggest achievement of the tennis players' lives.
Other forms: With enough hard work, you can achieve (verb) anything.
Something done successfully; something gained by working or trying hard. Winning Wimbledon was the biggest achievement of the tennis players' lives.
Other forms: With enough hard work, you can achieve (verb) anything.
approximate (verb)
To take an educated guess about. I couldn't be sure, but I approximated that it would take us four hours to drive from Boston to New York City.
(adj) Not exactly, but close enough to be reasonably correct. The police asked Jonathan if he could tell them the approximate time that he had last seen his cat, Mr. Pickles.
To take an educated guess about. I couldn't be sure, but I approximated that it would take us four hours to drive from Boston to New York City.
(adj) Not exactly, but close enough to be reasonably correct. The police asked Jonathan if he could tell them the approximate time that he had last seen his cat, Mr. Pickles.
reliable (adj)
Deserving trust, dependable. Despite being several years old, the car was very reliable.
Other forms: If you ever need a friend, you can rely (verb) on me.
Deserving trust, dependable. Despite being several years old, the car was very reliable.
Other forms: If you ever need a friend, you can rely (verb) on me.
confident (adj)
1. Certain; sure. Are you confident that one plus one is two?
2. Sure of oneself. Santos is a very confident young man.
Other forms: Leroy has so much confidence (noun) when talking to people; he gets along well with both kids and adults.
1. Certain; sure. Are you confident that one plus one is two?
2. Sure of oneself. Santos is a very confident young man.
Other forms: Leroy has so much confidence (noun) when talking to people; he gets along well with both kids and adults.
independent (adj)
1. Not under the power or influence of something else. Pascal doesn't just follow rules all the time; he's an independent thinker.
2. Able to live or do something alone, without help. I can't wait till I get my driver's license; I will be so much more independent.
Other forms: America won its independence (noun) from England in the Revolutionary War.
1. Not under the power or influence of something else. Pascal doesn't just follow rules all the time; he's an independent thinker.
2. Able to live or do something alone, without help. I can't wait till I get my driver's license; I will be so much more independent.
Other forms: America won its independence (noun) from England in the Revolutionary War.
impressive (adj)
Having a strong effect, commanding attention. LeBron James, easily one of the most impressive basketball players ever, soared through the air toward the basket.
Other forms: My sister thought you were a great dancer, but she's easily impressed (verb).
Having a strong effect, commanding attention. LeBron James, easily one of the most impressive basketball players ever, soared through the air toward the basket.
Other forms: My sister thought you were a great dancer, but she's easily impressed (verb).
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