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ELA 3: What's a Poetry Slam? 54 Views
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Description:
Before you write a poem in class and slam it down on your teacher's desk while yelling "Poetry slam!", you might want to watch this video. We'll teach you what a poetry slam really is. And keep you from upsetting your teacher.
Transcript
- 00:04
[Dino and Coop singing]
- 00:12
When you hear the word “slam” you probably think of slam dunks, or grand slams! [Basketball player and baseball player]
- 00:16
And, if you say the word "slam" a lot, it starts to sound pretty funny…
- 00:19
"slam slam slam slam slam slam slam slam"
- 00:23
…Ahem.
Full Transcript
- 00:24
But there's another “slam” you're probably not thinking of... [Girl thinking]
- 00:27
Denny's Grand Slam! [Pancakes appear]
- 00:28
…No?
- 00:29
Hm.
- 00:30
Maybe we're just hungry.
- 00:31
Apparently we're supposed to be talking about poetry slams. [Dino pointing at a blackboard]
- 00:33
And no, that's not when you slam dunk onto a basket while reciting the lines to Edgar
- 00:37
Allan Poe's The Raven. [Basketball player slam dunking]
- 00:39
Nevermore! Slam.
- 00:41
A poetry slam is an opportunity for poets to share poems with one another as well an [Guy on stage reciting his poem]
- 00:45
audience – and that's exactly what you'll be doing!
- 00:48
And yes.
- 00:48
It has to be out loud.
- 00:50
No cool power point presentations allowed.
- 00:53
Whether it's a Langston Hughes poem, a Walt Whitman poem, or a poem you've written on [Pictures of Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman]
- 00:57
your own, a poetry slam is your chance to show off your ability to pace yourself and
- 01:01
read with expression.
- 01:02
Once you've chosen the poem you plan on reciting, there's a few key steps to follow to really [Girl holding a poem looking happy]
- 01:06
get to know that poem inside out.
- 01:09
First, you have to analyze the poem in order to understand each and every word and what [Coop pointing at a blackboard]
- 01:12
they all mean.
- 01:13
After that, you'll want to figure out how you should pace the poem for maximum enjoyment, [The poem runs away from a guy]
- 01:17
as well as how you want to express yourself throughout.
- 01:20
Once that's all sorted out, the next step is to practice, practice, practice – both [Dino pointing at a blackboard]
- 01:24
by yourself and in a small group with others.
- 01:26
Once you've done all of that, you'll be super prepared for your big moment – performing
- 01:30
it at the slam.
- 01:31
If it sounds like a lot of work, don't stress.
- 01:33
Poetry slams are pretty much always a whole lot of fun – so get excited.
- 01:37
Just not too excited that you forget which “slam” we're talking about and go around [Guy slams a plate of pancakes through a basketball hoop]
- 01:40
slam dunking your Grand Slam into things.
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