ACTIVITY SHEET

TEAM MEMBER: John

INTERDISCIPLINARY UNIT: Historical Fiction
GRADE LEVEL: 10-12
SUBJECT: English (Creative Writing)
NAME AND DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: The Introduction
LESSON 1
-Pre-assessment:
-Pre-test on poetry vocabulary words and rhetorical devices.

-Introduction of performance poetry:
-History of performance poetry beginning with the slam movement in Chicago
A. Introduce Marc Smith, his biography, and read what critics/scholars have written about him.
B. Watch Sarah Kays TEDtalk on spoken word poetry
C. Students will take notes on the important ideas she presents.

-Discuss differences between traditional page poetry VS performance/slam poetry
A. Read literature both for and against performance poetry to understand the different
perspectives of performance poetry.
B. Create a foldable with two halves labeled Traditional and Performance. Students will list
the different characteristics of both.

-Closure:
A. I agree/disagree chart on the key differences between Traditional and Performance
poetry.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs):
-Students will understand and identify the differences between traditional poetry and
performance poetry.
COMMON CORE STANDARDS:
CCS Standard(s):
W.11-12.3D - Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid
picture of experiences, events, and or characters

W.11-12.2d - Use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary, and techniques such as metaphor,
simile, and analogy to manage the complexity of the topic.

SL.11-12.1c - Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that probe reasoning and
evidence; ensure a hearing for a full range of positions on a topic or issue; clarify, verify, or challenge
ideas and conclusions; and promote divergent and creative perspectives.

SL.11-12.3 - Evaluate a speakers point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing
the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.

SL.11-12.4 - Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct
perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives
are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose,
audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks.


SUPPLEMENTARY READING MATERIALS AND INTERNET SOURCES TO EXTEND
STUDENTS UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONTENT:
http://www.ted.com/watch/topics/poetry
RUBRIC TO EVALUATE THE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
AGREE DISAGREE
Traditional poetry and performance poetry are the
exact same thing.

Overt display of emotion is a common trait of
performance poetry.

Volume, hand gestures, body language, and eye
contact doesnt matter in performance poetry.

The main difference between performance poetry
and traditional poetry is that performance poetry is
meant to be presented orally and visually.

All poems are supposed to rhyme.