LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Hi Everyone:
I really appreciate all of the suggestions for a poetry slam. We
will be attempting one on Monday, Nov. 19th. We are not having a
competition but each classroom is to choose readers and the readers will
rotate through 6 different locations in the building at two different
time periods so that all the other students will have an opportunity to
hear the selections. For our first poety get-together, students and
teachers can read original works or a selection. We also hope to have
some "jazzy" musical selections by students plus a snack of some sort.
My teachers are really being cooperative so I hope it works out.
Here are the suggestions I received from media specialists:
Hi Debby, We do a coffeehouse@thelibrary during homeroom once or twice
a
year for the high school students. All students are invited - usually
300+ kids. We dim the lights, cover the tables with tableclothes or
with
paper for graffiti and bring in extra chairs. We offer hot chocolate
and
cappuccino. Usually students listen to live music by other high school
students - jazz ensemble or vocalists or piano .... Several times we
have
offered students the opportunity to read their own poetry. With so many
students it is hard to hear, even with a portable microphone. And as
our
homeroom is only 15 minutes, we can't have too many in the spotlight.
Some do it every hour for selected classes/grades. That might work
better
for your poetry reading. Colleen
I do a monthly Poetry Cafe for my middle school kids. I invite only 18
and
they are allowed to bring a guest. The kids drop their name in a box
and I
draw at random. They must bring a poem with them to get in. I drop
their
name in the basket as they walk in. While the kids are eating, we start
drawing names and that person must come up and read. We have three
adult
judges...and the highest score wins a small prize and becomes Poet
Lauriat
for the month. Their poem is published in the weekly paper home. I set
the
tables with cloths, and candels, use a mike, etc. I also sell pizza and
coke (at cost)...the kids love it and fight to come...perhaps for the
pizza,
but it gets them in the door, and we've had some fine poets.
Lorraine Smith
Librarian
St. Gabriel's Catholic School
Austin, TX
lorraine.smith@sgs-austin.org
We had a poetry reading in the library a number of years ago--it was
extra credit for English students. We had a large group--the only
suggestion I'd have is that you screen their poetry ahead of time. We
had
only one student choose a rather inappropriate reading.
Good luck.
Karen Weaver
Apache Junction High School
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Original Mess
Debby,
I conducted two poetry coffeehouses and they were a huge success. We
dimmed
the lights, lit smelly candles, played jazz and the kids read both their
favorite poems from other poets and their own poetry. I did this with
10th
grade and they loved it. It worked so well that we did it for parent
open
house and the parents just went nuts over it. Good luck!
-Karen Leland
Corona del Mar High School
We did a poetry reading once, sponsored by our Book Group. The few that
attended (around 10) had a great time - we allowed readings of students'
own (run past us first) or their readings of others. I started with a
reading of Billy Collins' "Poetry" (I think that's the title - someone
has the book out now) which talks about how teachers beat a poem to
death with a rubber hose - great stuff! We served refreshments, and
kind of got into a "beatnik" thing where kids snapped their fingers
instead of applauding at the end. Fun! I would do it again.
J'aime L. Foust, Librarian
jfoust@queensburyschool.org
Queensbury High School
Queensbury, NY 12804
I've never heard of a poetry slam, but I know slam books were extremely
popular. I think it's a great idea. You might also put up big sheets
of paper all over the school for students to write poetry on. And maybe
have a poetry trivia contest, where students have to match authors and
quotations.
Louise C. Leonard
Solomon Schechter Day School Library
Jacksonville Jewish Center
Jacksonville,FL
Lhurst1054@aol.com
Hi Debbie,
We have a teacher who is herself a poet. She is advisor to a
poetry club which from time to time during the school year does
slams here in the library. We have a flexible schedule and no
study halls, which allows unassigned students freedom to come
and go. The slams are not too well-attended, but the kids in the
club enjoy reading their poetry for themselves and their friends.
Rod Jaros
LMS, Horace Greeley HS
Chappaqua, NY
rojaros@chappaqua.k12.ny.us
I did poetry coffee houses at my old jr-sr high school. The student
gov.
was a co-sponsor with the library. We had coffees, teas, and gcokies
(biscotti was popular) I used an old oriental rug and a beautiful brass
music stand to form a "stage" for readings as we had our poetry evenings
in
the library. Kids signed up ahead of time and I asked that each person,
participant or listener, bring a canned good for our local food pantry.
Write me if you need more info. Regards, Pat Neal
Dear Ms. Walters,
Your question about poetry readings was forwarded to me by our high
school librarian. This year will be our 3rd annual Coffee House
Days
celebration at my middle school (grades 6-8). It has been a huge
success and will probably go on forever! I have the PTO group help
with donations and serving. We schedule every English class in
over a
2 day period in the library for poetry readings. Students sign up
to
read poetry (their own if they prefer!) ahead of time. When they
come
in the library, which is set up with a podium,mike, and chairs for
the
audience, I call them up to read. We also have faculty and staff
that
particapate. After the readings, students have the opportunity to
have cappacino or hot chocolate. We make it a fundraiser to buy
more
poetry books and charge .50 a cup. We also have poetry books on
display (of course) as well as "activity tables" for students and
staff to enjoy. These include magnetic poetry kits (a big hit last
year), a table with supplies to illustrate poetry provided, poetry
"starters" (pictures from magazines to inspire writers), and a
daily
running poem each group contributes to. We play appropraite
background music and this year are bringing in a professional poet
(Brod Bagert) the month before to get us psyched up! It is a huge
hit; the teachers all plan their poetry units before it so they can
encourage students to read their best work. The older kids all
know
to expect it and keep an eye out for poems they like... Feel free
to
contact me if you have more questions. We do ours in April and
publicize it like crazy!
Good Luck,
Donn Riggi
SLMS/ Alden Middle School
13250 Park St.
Alden, NY 14004
716-937-9116 (ext. 2260)
Our band director was kind enough to play the sax, and he brought along
a bongo player. Students from our English classes were invited to sign
up to read
their poems written especially for the bash. One English class studied
the beat era and wrote poems in the beat style. Many were "tongue in
cheek" and very
funny.
Our cafeteria staff supplied de-cafe coffee and cups. They even dressed
up for the occasion. We had our coffeehouse open during lunch shifts,
and the
students brought their lunches in "to go boxes" from the cafeteria.
It was lots of fun with a minimum of trouble. Good luck on yours!
AmyBlake Hearn
Milan High School
Milan, TN 38358
hearna1@k12tn.net
--
Debby Walters, Librarian
Viking Middle School
Woodville, WI 54028
walterd@mail.bwsd.k12.wi.us
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