Slam Poetry Videos You Can Use In Your Classroom Now
Insert Powerful Voice Into Any Lesson, Class, or Teacher Training
The teaching of a poetry unit always begins the same. We talk about what is poetry, and then students will almost always give me their opinion on poetry writing as a genre. Some students love poetry. Some students immediately throw defenses up because they have notions about poetry that involve feelings, emotions, and talking about personal stuff. They aren’t wrong, but poetry is more than that perception. As teachers, we are charged with showing our students that it is okay to express feelings. It is okay to write about ourselves because it is a reflection of the safe environment we have created without our classrooms. While I have taught many different poetry assignments over the years, I have loved observing student reactions and seeing their faces when I play slam poems. It is like watching a show or attending a performance. There are tons of videos on Youtube, but this post will look at some of my favorites. Besides awesome examples you can use with kids today, I have given a few additional poems that teacher leaders could use when leading teacher training as well.
Introduction to Poetry Videos
There are tons of “Introduction to Poetry” video clips out there; however, I wanted to post a few in case you were looking for an introductory attention-getter for your next poetry unit.
TED-ED “What Makes a Poem…a Poem?”
Schmoop “What is Poetry?”
Billy Collins “On Reading Poetry Aloud”
Super Teacher Girl “Introduction to Poetry”
Interesting interactive notebook lesson teaching the basics of poetry
David Silverstein “The Pleasure of Poetic Pattern”
Example Poems to Show Students
Not all of the following slam poems are acceptable for all students. Please make sure you watch the poem or take a listen first before using it in your classroom. Personally, I have used all of the following poems in some capacity of learning, whether it is in my classroom, a poetry class in the community, or in my after-school writing club. I have denoted the grade level that I feel is most appropriate and some topics are attached. Again, not all of these slam poems will fit with every poetry lesson, but the examples all contain powerful voices.
Writing Mindset YouTube Playlist of Poems for the Classroom
TED Talks “There’s a Poem for That” series-YOUTUBE PLAYLIST (Pairs classical poems with contemporary poets)
Asha Christensen at TEDX (On writer’s block)
ON WRITING-MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL
Kioni "Popcorn" Marshall “Bronx 6th Grader Wows NYC Poetry Scene”
LEARNING TO WRITE, FAMILY, DEPRESSION, FINDING ONESELF-MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL
Angelo Mitchell “Super Hero”
FAMILY, DREAMS, FATHER/SON-MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL
Sarah Kay “If I Should Have A Daughter”
FAMILY, COMMUNITY, MOTHER/DAUGHTER-MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL
Prince Ea “Dear Future Generations: Sorry”
ENVIRONMENT, POLLUTION, GLOBAL WARMING-MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL
Belissa Escobedo, Rhiannon McGavin, and Zariya Allen from Get Lit Organization “Somewhere in America”
SOCIETY ISSUES, RACISM, VIOLENCE, SEXISM-MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL
Shane Koyczan “To This Day Project“
BULLYING, DEPRESSION-HIGH SCHOOL
Malcolm London “High School Training Ground”
BULLYING, ADOLESCENT ISSUES, RACISM-HIGH SCHOOL
Maya Angelou “Phenomenal Woman”
IDENTITY, OVERCOMING ADVERSITY, HOPE, GENDER-MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL
Lewis Carroll “Jabberwocky”
FEAR, OVERCOMING ADVERSITY
Langston Hughes "Mother to Son" Recited by Viola Davis
OVERCOMING ADVERSITY, FAMILY, RACE-MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL
Robert Frost “The Road Not Taken”
FEAR, OVERCOMING ADVERSITY & OBSTACLES, TAKING RISKS, TRYING SOMETHING NEW
Poetry for Teachers/Teacher Professional Development
Rudy Francisco “Complainers”
Clint Smith “The Danger of Silence”
Jeffrey Dessources “TrillEDU: Culturally Responsive Pedagogy...”
Dr. Christopher Emdin “Hip Hop Ed in the Classroom”
Taylor Mali “What Teachers Make”
What to Read Next…
I always end the first six weeks of school with narrative poetry. 1.) It is a mindset thing. I want to show the kids who don’t think they can write poetry that they indeed can write poetry. 2.) It is an excellent way to get to know students better. We may think we know each other after six weeks, but in reality, we have spent a lot of that time on testing and expectations. it is powerful to know our students and let our students know who we are as people. Cue Where I’m From Poems and I Am Poems. I use this form of poetry from George Ella Lyon each year to help build community and access important identity work. This post includes all of the assignment materials and my step-by-step process including mentor texts and a read-aloud.