Creating a dynamic slam poetry performance
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand how physicality can add to the confident delivery of a slam poem. I can be an effective audience member and provide feedback.
Key learning points
- Performing a slam poem is about more than just reading the words from a page, it is about giving a dynamic performance.
- Considering non-verbal features and physicality can elevate your performance.
- Annotating your poem with non-verbal features can be a useful way to help prepare for a performance.
- Audience participation is a part of slam poetry, but it must be respectful and supportive.
- It is ok to feel nervous before a performance. Considering your body language, posture and breath can help with nerves.
Keywords
Physicality - the use of body movements, gestures, and facial expressions to enhance the delivery of a presentation
Non-verbal features - the physical and vocal elements that enhance a performance beyond the words themselves
Dynamic - a lively and engaging performance, full of energy, to keep the audience interested
Pitch - the varied highness or lowness of a voice, can be used by a speaker can create drama, excitement, or tension
Pace - the speed at which something is spoken or delivered
Common misconception
Pupils get too nervous to perfom and find public speaking really daunting so they can't do it.
Even the most confident speakers feel nervous! It is completely natural to feel nervous when public speaking. Practising and using specfic strategies will mean they will gradually begin to understand how to work with them.
Teacher tip
Depending on the needs of your pupils, you may wish to consider how the pupils perform their slam poems. This could be in pairs or small groups, as well as to a larger audience.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following statements are true in relation to slam poetry?
Q2.The word 'dynamic' can be used to describe...
Q3.Which word can be described as: 'a repeated line or group of lines in a poem or song, typically at the end of a stanza.'?
Q4.Is the answer true or false? An end rhyme can be described as the final words of two or more lines that share the same sound.
Q5."With a flick of the wrist, the mist begins to twist." This is an example of...
Q6.Which of the following is not an example of colloquial language?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following can be considered non-verbal features of performance?
Q2.What is physicality in slam poetry?
Q3.Which of the following is not a useful strategy to help manage nerves before performing?
Q4.Which of the following are ways to create a supportive environment during a slam poetry performance?
Q5.Which word beginning with 'p' can be used to describe the the varied highness or lowness of a voice?
Q6.Is the answer true or false? The word 'pace' can be described as the volume of a speaker's voice.
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Creating a dynamic slam poetry performance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Creating a dynamic slam poetry performance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the Creating and performing slam poetry unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.