Outline for Poetry Slam Writing

A poetry slam is an opportunity for students to perform their poems in front of the class. Some students will be more theatrical and enjoy the idea of performing for their peers, while for others simply reading their poem aloud will be a great success.

  1. Brainstorm with studentspossible poem topics by writing ideas that you have and they have on the board.
  2. Ask students for ideas on how they could write it.
  3. Should every line rhyme?
  4. Should it have a specific rhythm to it?
  5. Should it include images?
  6. Remind students to consider other poems that they have encountered and ask them to share those out orally as examples?
  7. “The Raven”
  8. “The Road Less Traveled”
  9. “Annabelle Lee”
  10. Brave New Voices Poems
  11. Tupac’s Poems
  12. Ask students to take out a sheet of paper.
  13. Provide each student with a poetry slam rubric and review expectations.
  14. Give them about 10-15 minutes to just write. They can whisper to a neighbor for ideas, but that’s it. Circulate the classroom and be available to them. This activity is less about the structure of poetry and more about letting students be creative and open
  15. After 10-15 minutes, ask students to stop and assign their poems for homework.
  16. Explain that you expect a revised and final draft in time for the poetry slam. Make sure they know the date that it is due. Recommend a weekend or about three days to complete poem.
  17. Reminder:While encouraging the creativity and opportunity to manipulate poetry, students might struggle against doing it because they don’t think they are capable. Encourage them and remind them that often poetry doesn’t’ fit a specific formula and that they can have fun with it.
  18. I usually assigned it as overnight homework and student’s worked well with that time limit and brought in some exceptional poetry. They didn’t realize how much they had been exposed to in years past.
  19. Optional: You can have students complete a draft for homework and bring it in the next day and work on revising it. You can be there to help them and encourage them. Do mini writing conferences with each student to see how their poem is coming and that it is appropriate (20 minutes total).

Poetry Slam:

  1. Place desks in arrangement that you prefer.
  2. Provide students with three minutes at the beginning of class to practice, swap poems to read, etc.
  3. Remind students of the rules of the poetry slam
  4. During the poetry slam, each student will listen and be respectful. They are allowed to whoop or snap if they really like a line in the poem or the poem itself.
  5. No cell phones or talking while someone is sharing (make sure to enforce this, but not so that it interrupts the poet sharing)
  6. Clap after each student!
  7. Teachers are encouraged to start it off and share a poem or you may ask if student wants to share and would like to go first.
  8. Once you have identified the person who will start, dictate how the rest of the sharing will occur, will it go clockwise/counterclockwise from that person, will you take volunteers, or you will call on people randomly.
  9. Take part and encourage the whooping, hollering and cheering as seen on the Brave New Voices videos.
  10. Make sure to clap for each student and provide him or her with a bit of praise before moving on.
  11. Try to not fill out complete rubric, but just jot down quick notes for each student. Try to keep the rhythm going from one student to the next.
  12. If you get to a student who does not have a poem, ask them to see you after class and move to the next person. When you meet the person after class, ask them why did not have a poem. If they were absent for the assignment, give them the opportunity to complete and time that they will share. If they were confused about the assignment, set up a conference time to work with them and give them another chance. If they really did not feel comfortable sharing, ask them to share it aloud with just you, as the speaking standard is still important.
  13. Enjoy 