This lesson is ideally taught after Rhythm and Music in Poetry, Part I and Rhythm and Music in Poetry, Part II.
Here are links for the videos you will share with students:
“Gentrification” by Urban Word, “Cat Poem” by Get Lit LA, “Slam Poem about Bullying,” by Aiya
If extending this lesson into two, the following are also good videos. You could reintroduce the idea of using “found” poetry—overheard conversations, emergency bulletins, scientific facts, etc.—for your slam poem. (You might want to bring/hand out examples of these—I’ve included my handouts at the end of this lesson.)
Poetry Everywhere: "One Boy Told Me" by Naomi Shihab Nye (found poetry; dialogue)
"Hot Gumbo Pot" by Meta-Four Houston
Any slam poems by Solli Raphael (available on YouTube)
Sequence of activities:
5-10 minutes
Give a brief review of what constitutes a spoken word or slam poem. Poems are three minutes max. No props are used. Usually, slam poems are memorized, and judged competitively. (I chose not to require memorization or competitive judging, but perhaps you could expand this lesson to include them, if desired.) A slam poem can be performed singly, or in a group. Audience participation is welcomed.
Briefly mention (or write on the board ahead of time) the techniques found in slam poetry: rhyme, use of opposites, word play, the repetition of a word or phrase. You also include questions, commands, advice, scientific or historical facts, statistics, current events, dialogue, found words or phrases (from an emergency services message, from a bulletin, poster, etc.).
Almost anything can go into a slam poem.
15 minutes
Watch and discuss the videos.
20-25 minutes
Have the students work on a slam poem of their own. They can work together or in a group.
Optional: play this background music quietly as the students compose: Lofi: music for study
15 minutes
Give an opportunity for students to perform their poems for the class. Remind the audience to show appreciation!
The final pages of the PDF version of this lesson plan include resources that students can use to add depth to their poems; including facts, statistics, and examples of emergency bulletins.
