Youth Spoken Word - Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan: Youth Spoken Word for English Class (Grades 11 or 12)*

By Benjamin Gentry

*Plan is based on a 50 minute block. Certain procedures may have to be adapted accordingly (or broken into separate classes) depending on actual class time.

“Big Idea” this lesson plan supports: How are alliteration, assonance, sensory detail, and simile used in youth spoken word?

Title:

Special Skills of the Slam Speaker: Alliteration, Assonance, Sensory Detail, and Simile

GSE’s/GLE’s/Frameworks:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.3
Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.3
Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.5
Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.2.D
Use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary, and techniques such as metaphor, simile, and analogy to manage the complexity of the topic.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3.D
Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.

ISTE.1a: Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes

ISTE.1b: Create original works as a means of personal or group expression

ISTE.5b: Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity

ISTE.6: Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.
a. Understand and use technology systems
b. Select and use applications effectively and productively
d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies

Objective(s):

1. Students will be able to define alliteration, assonance, sensory detail, and simile
2. Students will be able to observe, recognize, and isolate the use of alliteration, assonance, sensory details, and simile
3. Students will be able to demonstrate the use of alliteration, assonance, sensory detail, and simile in a spoken word piece
4. Students will be able to express a thought, theme, or concept via a spoken word piece that includes alliteration, assonance, sensory details, and simile

Materials:

Internet access, word processing software, a “SoundCloud” free account, access to pre-selected YouTube videos, a microphone equipped device (such as a smartphone or computer), access to lesson specific WebQuest with instructions and worksheet, paper and writing utensil (or laptop) for note-taking

Anticipatory Set:

Students will be shown a YouTube video of a youth spoken word performance.

Students will be asked to discuss how the performance differs from formal poetry. They will be asked what kind of techniques the performer used, making note of the lack of rhyme and standard verse. Students will be briefly informed about alliteration, assonance, sensory details, and simile.

Procedures:

1. Following the above anticipatory set (10 minutes), the teacher will assign the students into four groups – 1 minutes (Total: 11 minutes)

2. Each group will be given one of the four terms (alliteration, assonance, sensory detail and simile) and asked to use their phones, laptops, or other electronic devices to find the definition of their group’s term - 3 minutes (Total: 14 minutes)

3. The teacher will ask each group to prepare a working definition and two examples for their term - 3 minutes (Total: 17 minutes)

4. Each group will share their definition and two examples for the rest of the class – 5 minutes (Total: 22 minutes)

5. The teacher will hand out a worksheet with three HOT questions pertaining to the youth spoken word performance shown during the anticipatory set:

a. Which of the four techniques do you feel works best in the spoken word piece you chose? Give examples and defend your choice.

b. Analyze the theme or idea behind the performance and formulate one or two sentences to describe it.

c. Evaluate how the four techniques contribute to the speaker’s theme or central idea. What line, phrase, or word stood out to you and why?

- 3 minutes (Total: 25 minutes)

6. The teacher will show the performance again and allow students to respond to the three HOT questions, walking around the classroom to provide help where needed. – 10 minutes (Total: 35 minutes)

7. The teacher will inform the students of their homework assignment: to follow the steps of the Webquest (as referenced below).

a. Write their own short spoken word piece that must include at least 2 of the 4 techniques discussed.
b. Create a SoundCloud account.
c. Record and upload to the group a reading of their spoken word piece (along with the text of the piece)
d. Listen and give positive and constructive feedback via a comment on at least two classmates’ pieces

- 10 minutes (Total: 45 minutes)

Closure:

After explaining the homework assignment, students will be asked to turn-and-talk to a partner, reflecting on which of the four techniques is their favorite and why. The teacher will collect the HOT worksheets at this time and answer any questions about the homework assignment that students might have. – 5 minutes (Total: 50 minutes)

Assessment:

Assessment of objectives will be achieved in four major ways.

1. Through direct question and response, students will be assessed on their ability to formulate a working definition and example based on procedure steps 2-4.

2. Through observing and listening to students’ responses during the aforementioned group work and also during the HOT worksheet and reflection segments.

3. Through the physical collection and evaluation of each student’s responses to the three HOT questions on the worksheets.

4. Through the examination and evaluation of the end product of the WebQuest (a sound recording and text inclusion of a spoken word piece)

Student Artifact:

The student artifact will be a two-to-three minute sound recording uploaded into the course’s SoundCloud group along with the transcript of the performance posted along with the recording.

Modifications/Accommodations:

Students with disabilities or learning impairments:
- Could be allowed to take the HOT worksheet home for additional work time.
- Could be only required to complete a 1-to-2 minute recording while using only 1 of the 4 discussed techniques

Students who are gifted:
- Can be a resource for students who might be struggling with the assignment
- Could be asked to think of their own HOT question pertaining to the lesson
- Could be required to include at least one instance of all 4 techniques in their spoken word performance

Resources

https://soundcloud.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/YOUTHSPEAKS
Webquest link will go here once it is completed