QUESTION: Spoken Word Poetry Ideas?

[Justin]

Hello,

I am interested in doing a Spoken Word poetry activity similar to Brave New Voices.  This is where the students write poems and then perform
them.  They don't just stand and read.  I am looking for some strategies
on how to get students to write strong poems about deep topics and
really get them to share it with emotion.  Has anyone done any
activities/exercises like this?  My goal is to break the students from
their shell and really get them to feel their writing.

Thanks.

Justin

[Ryan Goble]

Be sure to check out the resources at the NYTLearning Network under the keywords "spoken word poetry." Also check out these posts:
• CARTOON & POEMS: The Importance of proofreading
• POETIC SONG FOR A DAY
• WEBSITE: Poetry Learning Lab
• SHORT FILM & VISUAL POETRY MOTHERLOAD OF RESOURCE!

[patsy everett]

Poetry Out Loud isn't quite spoken word but they have a good lesson plan in identifying and conveying tone in a recited poem. Maybe it will be helpful?
Identifying Tone

[Petra Anders]

Hi,
I am Petra from Germany/ Berlin. I developed the youth Poetry Slam in Germany and would like to give you those suggestions:
- Go with them to a Poetry Slam so that they feel the atmosphere.
- Show them a performance on youtube, but WITHOUT sound: They would only see the gesturesm, the encouragement of the performer etc, ask then: What do you think is he/she talking about? Then: About which subject would YOU talk if you were on stage of a Poetry Slam?

If you are interested in the best German Slam Poets performing german and english poems and showing poetry clips in the Bowery Poetry Club, see this event on July 25th, 4 PM (for free!):
http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=WYTJXEXMQ...

Any questions? Looking forward to hearing from you,
Petra

[Cynthia Sinsap]

Patsy mentioned Poetry Out Loud as a resource already. I've used some of their materials as well. Their website has some audio files you can have students listen to as well. Some are simply poems read our loud, but there are some explanatory clips too for things such as reading with power, conveying emotions, "punching" words. etc. There are also other lesson plans on the site you can use:
http://www.poetryoutloud.org/poems/audiocd.html