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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…

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Writing Mindset Reflection: How do you incorporate slam poetry into your classroom? What ways do we hear our students’ voices?


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