A Slamming Way to Engage
Students with Poetry
Presented by Sherri Powell & Corlette Hill
@digitalfbisd
@corletteh
Fort Bend ISD Digital Learning Department
#digpoetry
What is a Poetry Slam?
•
•
•
•
Poetry
Writing
Performance
Competition
Poetry Slam & Poetry Playground
English Language Arts TEKS & Technology Applications TEKS
TA TEKS
1) Creativity and Innovation
2) Communication and
Collaboration
When Setting Your Dates...
Be aware of school and district wide events
Check the testing schedules (STAR, TLA, AP
Exams, etc.)
Consider upcoming holidays and breaks
The best time of the day is...
PM
During the last two periods of the day
When available to meet via distance during a common
time (bell schedules may vary)
Event Location
Consider...
 Library
 Auditorium
 Classroom
But also consider Internet access, lighting, projection and/or television monitors
Equipment Setup
Podium
Screen and/or Monitor
Other options:
Skype
School-wide Slam
District-wide Slam (at a central location)
Videoconferencing
unit
Poetry Slam Rounds
For the fall semester, each round was held on separate dates and times for
the middle and high schools:
Round
1
MS-November 13th (2:00pm-3:45pm) HS-November 14th (1:00pm-2:30pm)
Round
2
MS-November 20th (2:00pm-3:45pm) HS-November 21st (1:00pm-2:30pm)
Spring Secondary Poetry Slam:
Special Permissions
 Check with Administration
 Parent Permission
 Media/Photo Release
 Check w/others that may
be involved (sponsors,
Librarians, etc.)
Spread the Word!!
Logo
Website
Infographic
Registration
School
Sponsor/Contact
Location (where the event will be held within the school)
Number of Students Participating
Student’s Names & Grade Level
Once registrations were completed, sponsors were sent “Gearing
Up for the Poetry Slam” via email which included :
 Rules & Guidelines
 Poetry Slam Rubric
 Videoconferencing Etiquette for
Participants & Audience
Guidelines
1. Maximum of 10 students per school, 6th-12th grade
*Don’t worry about the drop-outs, competition will still go on
2. Prepare your students. Make sure that they know that the
event will be LIVE!
3. Poetry must be ORIGINAL!
4. PLEASE PROOFREAD THE POEMS! No Profanity or
Improper Content !!!
*Edit and filter through all submitted poetry
5. All poems must be submitted prior to the competition via
Turnitin.com/email
6. No props or music allowed
* Verbal sound affects, singing, and rapping is permitted.
7. Poems should be presented in no less than 30 seconds and no
more than 2 minutes
*Points are deducted for under/over time
How to Avoid the Mishaps
Questionable Poetry*Vulgar language* Sexual References
You Never Know Who’s Listening & Watching…
Pre-Slam Activities... for You & the Poets!
 Schedule dates/times/locations for prepping poets
 Secure a location to hold the event
 Inform staff of students that will be absent from
class
 Spread the word for support
 Invite your audience
PLAN
PREPARE
PRACTICE
PERFORM
Prepping Your Poets
One sponsor shared…
“Students use Google Docs to write their poems. They use the Google Docs
sharing function to share their poems with me and some of their classmates (if
they choose). I read their poems, comment on their work, and offer one to two
constructive suggestions to improve their poem.”
What if they forget their lines?
www.easyprompter.com
www.cueprompter.com
*Some students have their poem in hand and often refer to it when needed.
Judge Selection





District Personnel
ELA Department Heads
Digital Learning Specialists
Helping Teachers
Community Stakeholders (District approved)
Scoring
Online Scoring via Google Forms
Paper Scoring (optional)
Secondary Poetry Slam Scoreboard
In Real-time using Sharepoint or Google spreadsheet
List Students’
Names
Awards
Celebrating Our Poets
Poetry Slam Celebration
May 14th 6:00pm-8:00pm
FBISD Administration Annex
Fall and Spring Poetry Slam winners are invited!
Students perform for a live audience including parents and
other invited guests.
Special performances, musical entertainment &
refreshments are provided.
Celebrating Our Poets




Publicize
Share student feedback
Invite Administrators
Tweet
Follow Up Activities
Thank You’s…
Poetry Slam Club—keeping it
going!
Poetry book of winning poems (flip
book)
Keep sponsors in the loop
For those that are too young to compete and just want to
share...
Online Registration: Open for 2 weeks
Videoconferences: Runs for 1 week
Registration & Sign-Up Forms
Contact & Resources
Email Us:
Corlette.Hill@Fortbendisd.com
Sherri.Powell@Fortbendisd.com
Resources can be found on our District’s website:
http://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/1207
*Join in on the spring Poetry Slam by simply emailing us*
@digitalfbisd
@corletteh
#digpoetry