1. A Slamming Way to Engage Students with Poetry
Presented by Sherri Powell & Corlette Hill
@digitalfbisd
@corletteh Fort Bend ISD Digital Learning Department
#digpoetry

2. What is a Poetry Slam?
Poetry
Writing
Performance
Competition

3. Poetry Slam & Poetry Playground English Language Arts TEKS & Technology Applications TEKS
Language Arts TEKS (3rd-5th Grade)
Students are expected to write poems that convey…
Students write literary texts to express their ideas…
Students use elements of the writing process (planning, drafting, revising, editing)…
TA TEKS
Creativity and Innovation
Communication and Collaboration

4. 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)

5. Event Location Consider... Library Auditorium Classroom
But also consider Internet access, lighting, projection and/or television monitors

6. Equipment Setup Podium Screen and/or Monitor Videoconferencing unit
Other options:
Skype
School-wide Slam
District-wide Slam (at a central location)
In Fort Bend ISD, each campus is equipped with (1) videoconferencing unit. We also have a bridge allowing for the connection of
19 campus connected simultaneously. Each room has Internet access, a computer and projection device.
Students use a podium. Judges need a table, chairs, timer and rubrics. An additional projector/screen set up is utilized for displaying scores .
Skype can be used for events as well.
Videoconferencing unit

7. Poetry Slam Rounds Round 1 Round 2 Spring Secondary Poetry Slam:
For the fall semester, each round was held on separate dates and times for the middle and high schools:
MS-November 13th (2:00pm-3:45pm) HS-November 14th (1:00pm-2:30pm)
MS-November 20th (2:00pm-3:45pm) HS-November 21st (1:00pm-2:30pm) 
Round 1
Round 2
Spring Secondary Poetry Slam:

8. Special Permissions Check with Administration Parent Permission
Media/Photo Release
Check w/others that may be involved (sponsors, Librarians, etc.)

9. Email sent to Principals, Librarians, and Sponsors regarding the upcoming Slam

10. Spread the Word!!
Logo
Flyer
Website
Infographic

11. 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 which included :
Rules & Guidelines
Poetry Slam Rubric
Videoconferencing Etiquette for
Participants & Audience
We created a Google Form which enabled us to manage registrations:

12. 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/
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
Alternates are welcome, but only 10 perform

13. How to Avoid the Mishaps
Questionable Poetry*Vulgar language* Sexual References
-All participants were required to submit their poems prior to the competition.
-To avoid plagiarism , we used Turnitin.com. Sponsors also were given the option to photocopy, upload, and poems to us.
You Never Know Who’s Listening & Watching…

14. 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

15. 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.”

16. What if they forget their lines?
*Some students have their poem in hand and often refer to it when needed.

17. Judge Selection District Personnel ELA Department Heads
Digital Learning Specialists
Helping Teachers
Community Stakeholders (District approved)
Judges receive an invitation via along with a link to sign up for date and time slots. 3-4 judges
Teachers, Librarians, Poets

18. Scoring
Online Scoring via Google Forms
Paper Scoring (optional)

19. Secondary Poetry Slam Scoreboard In Real-time using Sharepoint or Google spreadsheet
List Students’
Names

20. Awards 1st place winners receive a trophy
2nd& 3rd place winners receive plaques
All participants including sponsors and judges receive certificates

21. Poetry Slam Celebration
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.

22. Celebrating Our Poets Publicize Share student feedback
Invite Administrators
Tweet

23. Follow Up Activities Thank You’s… Poetry Slam Club—keeping it going!
Poetry book of winning poems (flip book)
Keep sponsors in the loop

24. For those that are too young to compete and just want to share...
Open to 3rd-5th graders
2 classrooms are partnered up to share their poetry
Each student has 1 opportunity to recite original poetry they have written (individually, with a partner, or with a group)
Each class will have their partner class identify the type of poetry being recited
Choose from several genres of poetry (Free Verse, Rhyme, Haiku, Limerick, and more!
Online Registration: Open for 2 weeks
Videoconferences: Runs for 1 week

25. Registration & Sign-Up Forms

26. Contact & Resources @digitalfbisd @corletteh #digpoetry Email Us:
Resources can be found on our District’s website:
*Join in on the spring Poetry Slam by simply ing us*
@digitalfbisd
@corletteh
#digpoetry