Poetry

Speaking Poetry

W. H. Auden famously described poetry as 'memorable speech' (1935: v). Performing poetry is one of the best ways of enabling pupils of all ages and abilities to come up close to language.

How could student teachers be helped to make this happen?
Performing Poetry
Early on in the PGCE year, I ask our student teachers to prepare a performance of a poem for the rest of the group. I allocate each group of 5 - 6 student teachers a different poem and tell them they can use single voices, choral techniques, echoes, sound effects, actions and other ideas to bring their poems off the page. After the performance we discuss how this inclusive activity could help them (and their own pupils) to develop an understanding of rhythm, structure, tone, mood and word choice. There are so many poems you could choose for this activity. Some of my favourites for use in Year 6 - Year 9 are: 'Trainspotter' (David Harmer and Martyn Wiley); 'Ping Pong' (Gareth Owen); 'Mad Cap Rap' (James Carter); 'Men Talk' (Liz Lochhead) and 'O What is that sound' (W. H. Auden).

What other speaking activities could you introduce?
Poetry slams
Poetry slams are lively knock-out competitions in which poets perform poems (rather than read them off the page) either alone or in teams before an audience, who can also act as judges. The passion and enthusiasm of a slam performance is often just as important as its content or style. Most large towns and cities in the UK have regular slam events. A slam could be a good focus for a course outing or you could encourage your student teachers to organise one for themselves. Slam poetry can also be very political: it explores topical concerns including racial, economic, and gender injustices as well as more personal issues. For more information about slams and how to involve your own student teachers (and their pupils) in them go to www.poetryslam.org.uk/slam.html or www.londonteenagepoetryslam.net.