Storytelling in the Library
Poetry Slams & Podcasts
This week we were able to have a free choice for our blog post. As we are nearing the end of the semester, I thought about what were a few things I wanted to dive into more to take away from this storytelling course and possibly share with fellow classmates who could use the ideas and information as well. The week we read poetry, we also did readings about digital storytelling. Writing poetry and using that to create a digital storytelling experience is definitely something I want to try with my students. After I finished my post that week I remembered how much I loved a book where the main characters were involved in poetry slams and I watched several both online and in person over the years. Poetry slams are usually geared towards high school students (and possibly middle schoolers), but I was curious if this was something I could try with elementary aged students.
I found this article by one of my favorite authors, Ralph Fletcher, How to Host a Poetry Slam. Fletcher visited a school that was presenting a poetry slam and shares tips and the how-to for organizing a poetry contest and poetry slam event. I love the idea of having students sign up to participate in the poetry contest. In the article Fletcher mentions the teacher who organized the event stressed the positive impact writing, reading, rereading, and performing the poetry had on her students. Another great article that explains some of the history of poetry slams, the definition, reasons to include slams in your classrooms and libraries, and great examples can be found in this article by Jill Staake, What Is Slam Poetry and How Can Teachers Use It With Students? Poetry is often looked at as a boring genre to study, but writing and reading poetry can be intense and emotional. Students can often examine tough topics through poetry. Poetry slams gives students a chance to share their writing in a creative way and practice storytelling or performing, engaging with the audience, and adding emotion through tone and mood while sharing something that is important to them.
Here is an example of a student participating in a poetry slam.
"Mathmatical Blues"
Kimberly Simms Gibbs shares information about poetry slams in her blog post, Poetry Slams in Your Classroom. She shares some of the history behind the beginnings of poetry slams from the 1980's. Poetry seemed to be a dying genre, and poet Marc Smith saw people pouring into Wrigley Field, so he decided to use baseball to "jazz" up poetry and created the idea "poetry slams" taking a play on words from the grand slam in baseball. I had no idea this is where this idea originated. I was thinking how fun it would be to host a baseball themed poetry slam in the spring, especially since April is National Poetry Month.
One last resource for teaching and organizing poetry slams is Lindsay Ann's Teaching Slam Poetry I am looking forward to one day hosting a poetry contest and having a poetry slam/ poetry night in the library one day. Have you ever participated in or been a part of an audience during a poetry slam? How would you incorporate this exciting spin on a often forgotten genre?
Podcasts
Another idea I wanted to add to my toolbox was the idea of using podcasts-- either to listen to stories or to record stories. When I first started searching for ideas, I thought, you could connect the poetry slam with podcasting as well! So once I started searching, I did find several podcasts incorporating poetry slams like University of Oxford Recordings from the 2009 Online Poetry Slam competition. However, there isn't many options for poetry slam within podcasting.
I love listening to podcasts, and I have found that my students have really enjoyed them in my classroom as well. There are many options for storytelling podcasts available. One way I want to use them in the library is to have a podcast station where students can plug in and listen to a story. This is similar to audio books or the very popular Tonies (my daughter and now my students favorite audio device for storytelling!). I have zero experience recording podcasts, but I think this is something students would really buy into and be motivated to use in the classroom and library setting. Several podcasts for storytelling that your patrons might enjoy are:
1. What if World-- Stories for Kids by Eric O'Keeffe
2. Stories Podcast by Starglow Media
3. Storynory
4. Story Pirates
5. Circle Round by WBUR
6. Geeking Out from National Geographic Kids
7. Story Seeds
Why use podcasts? Podcasts are great to help students develop listening skills and listening comprehension. Podcasts give students the chance to let their eyes and brains relax from straining to read and enjoy a story and explore new topics and information. One of my favorite podcasts that I have personally used is Circle Round. Circle Round is a collection of folktales. Included with the podcast/ storytelling experience are discussion prompts and coloring pages that students can use while listening to the story. Kids will love this!
Check it out here Circle Round
The last thing that I found while searching for poetry slams and podcasting in the library was a podcast called Story Corps. I had never heard of this one, but you can find the link here Story Corps. Story Corps was created to record, preserve, and stories of Americans. This really reminded me of digital storytelling but in a totally audio format through podcasting. What originally caught my eye was their program called, The Great Thanksgiving Listen. I love the idea of interviewing an elder member of your family or someone older and important to you. Then recording the interview using the Story Corps App. These interviews are preserved and saved for generations to come!
I am really excited to try out these new ideas in the library! I can't wait to hear any of your favorite poetry and podcasts resources as well.
What I am reading this week:
Classic Literature-- I really enjoyed reading some classic stories that have been around for quite awhile that I haven't ever had a chance to read.
1. The Gruffalo
2. Paddington
3. The Tiger Who Came to Tea
4. The Snowman
5. Madeline
6. Olivia
Hi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of poetry slams, and have been for many years. I am not sure if you follow the Youtube channel/organization called, Button Poetry, but they are a poetry company/independent publisher that shares videos of slam poetry performances. The poet, Neil Hilborn, is one that they have highlighted on their channel. I absolutely love what slam poetry represents, but I had never thought about the idea of doing it with younger kids. However, this seems like a great idea! I think slam poetry could be a great way to get kids involved with storytelling and maybe boost their confidence levels through the performance aspect of it. Getting to share something you created in such a personal, intimate way as reading poetry I feel could provide many benefits to kids, putting them in charge of their own learning in a way. Thanks for sharing the resources that you did as I will have to be sure to check them out!
Emily, what great ideas you shared! I love the idea of incorporating poetry slams in elementary schools! I feel like poetry is often pushed to the side of only covered when the standards address it, thus students don't get much exposure and either dislike or are unsure how to comprehend them. I can't recall where I saw it, but I remember seeing somewhere a librarian had magnetic words near the check-out desk and she allowed students to use the words to come up with poems and add to each others. I also really like the idea of having a listening center where students can listen to books. I feel like this is a great option for students who need a break from books or have learning differences/preferences.
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