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 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

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 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

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:  

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

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

Spread the Word!! Logo Flyer 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 We created a Google Form which enabled us to manage registrations:

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 Alternates are welcome, but only 10 perform

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 email poems to us. 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) Judges receive an invitation via email along with a link to sign up for date and time slots. 3-4 judges Teachers, Librarians, Poets

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

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.

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... 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

Registration & Sign-Up Forms

Contact & Resources @digitalfbisd @corletteh #digpoetry 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