One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

DURING TODAY’S WORKSHOP…

We discussed the difference between reading poetry and hearing it. We started our preparation for the Poetry Slam.

Date/Time/Place for Poetry Slam: _____________________________________

My role in the Slam: ________________________________________________

REFLECTION QUESTION:

You can write a poem and keep it to yourself, and you will know exactly what it means to you. Once you share it with someone else, however, you lose control over its meaning as the audience will have its own interpretation. What does that feel like?

EXPLORE THE TOPICS FURTHER WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS…

· Make sure your family knows what is expected of you in your role in the Poetry Slam. If you will need transportation or other help, ask family members and friends for support. Do not forget to invite them to the Poetry Slam.

· If you have never been to a Poetry Slam, ask your family and friends if they have and, if so, what it was like. Better yet, locate a poetry slam or poetry reading in your town or city and invite family, friends, and other workshop participants to attend it with you. If you cannot locate a reading nearby, check your local TV listings or rent a DVD, such as the Poetry Hall of Fame Collection, from Netflix or a video store. You might also see if your local library has such a DVD or video you can borrow.