From the 5/6 Classroom

SPOKEN WORD (SLAM) POEMS

The Grade 5/6's wrote a poem on the subject of a choice of MALNUTRITION, POVERTY, SANITATION, or ILLITERACY. 

The first step that we did was plan for their poem. We then wrote a draft of the poem. Third step was to get feedback from a classmate in a Webex meeting. Then it was time to publish the poem. The last thing that we had to do was make a video on the poem with facial expressions, gestures and body language. We would try to memorise the poem so that we could look into the camera the whole time. 

Here is an example of a SLAM poem.

Hunger

The howl of grief

The growl of hunger

The drip, drip from a faulty tap 

The clatter of empty plates

Hunger

Hunger is warm sand rubbing against your tongue 

And smells like emptiness

Hunger looks like starving children begging for food 

And makes you feel as if you’re going in circles

Hunger

Tears start rolling

Down the dirty cheeks

Like a rainstorm sprouting

In the parched desert

His famished body weak and tired

He stands there, desperate for a better life

He is all alone, in a country overcome by poverty 

Without the necessities for a complete life

By Reuben 

We had to create and present a poem about a social justice topic. I enjoyed presenting my poem, and it gave me a chance to really express my thoughts and ideas of poverty. 

It is my second time presenting with gestures, so I did some planning to find out what gestures to do. I learnt that expressions, actions and facial expressions matter when you are presenting a topic. It makes you look like you are really enthusiastic about your topic and message. These skills are also important for speeches, interviews and even daily life conversations.

By Tim 

Below are some examples of the finished poems!