Beginning Slam Poetry work as part of a poetry unit
Grade level: 3-5th grade
Materials needed:
Example of slam poetry that uses refrain to help emphasize meaning.
Vocabulary words or short stories for the students to base their performances on.

SWBAT work as part of a group to present a word definition to the class.
Skill measured by students’ participation in small group setting and the short class presentation.

1.) Remind students that they have been studying poetry, and now as a class, you’ll be starting to branch into slam poetry. Today, you will attempt to use repetition or a “refrain” to help emphasize information.
2.) (Hook)
Watch John B. poem performance from youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0spacxHIja4
(Or another example of using refrain within “light” slam poetry.
This could be read by the teacher or performed by a guest.
(Make sure that the poetry is age appropriate!)
3.) Group students.
4.) Hand out **hard vocabulary words.
5.) Allow time for student creation of songs/raps/skits using a refrain.
(ideally 15-20 minutes)
6.) Have students present to the larger group in their small groups.

**Note: vocabulary words can be any words that the teacher wants the students to work with. Or, students could be given short stories or parables to present to the classroom.

Standards:
Music 3501.0625 Grades 4 and 5 Standards
B: 5. student will improvise and compose rhythms, melodies, and accompaniments using classroom instruments, voice, or both to express a specific musical idea;
OR
Theater 3501.0625 Grades 4 and 5 Standards.
C: 5 student will create a dramatic performance by interpreting and adapting the plot, characters, and language from an existing piece of literature.
AND
Language Arts Grade 5 Standards
1:A:1: student will: read unfamiliar, complex and multi-syllabic words using advanced phonetic and structural analysis.

Taylor Mali on youtube
What Teachers Make

Ken Arkind

John B poem (use this)
first 28 seconds "my president"
1:03-1:26 "your mother most likely..."
1:59-2:20 "if you're blind, stare at a rainbow"

Okay, so I've been seriously infected by Mr. Man, and I'm not talking about STDs, I'm talking about the love bug. Man o man. He actually just left here. I had left my cell phone and a bobby pin over at his place, so he decided he needed to deliver them to me today before he heads off to hang out with his family.

I just saw Mr. Man last night after going to The Singers with my mom and her friends. We went to LJ's fun Over the Top party, and I WON the ladies arm wrestling contest. Sweet. To be fair, I think I had at least 30 pounds on all three of my opponents, but really, arm wrestling's not about body mass, right? (I will go on sheepishly believing this, even if you disagree...)

Yesterday my roommate, LJ's sister, and myself all did the Reindeer Run around Lake Harriet. It was F-ing freezing, and I ran only about 2/3 of the way... I'd only gotten about three and half hours of sleep, but it was fun. Really, an excellent time was had by all, except for maybe the screaming infants in the baby strollers being pushed by their amazingly fit mothers. I did see one happy kid though-- being pushed by a dad, and the mom was running with their golden retriever... I should prod Mr. Man to see if this is a future that he could see himself in... 'cause I sure could. :)

Damn I have a sweet sweet life.