1. Spoken Word Types 1
Spoken Word Types

2. Spoken Word Types 2
Overview
In this lesson, we will discuss the nonverbal cues of a speech and a spoken
word poem and go over the different types of spoken word poems. We will
also discuss their project.
Objectives
CCSS.ELA.LITERACY.RL.7.7- Compare and contrast a written story, drama, or
poem to its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia version, analyzing the effects
of techniques unique to each medium.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.6- Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks,
demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
Activities
1. Bellwork: What is Spoken Word Poetry and how is it different from
regular poetry?
2. We will read Daniel Beaty’s Knock Knock to introduce themselves to
the poem.
3. We will watch Daniel Beaty’s “Knock, Knock” spoken word poem and
write down notes of volume, eye contact, facial expressions,
movement on their poem.
4. We will write down everything they noticed about the performance
on the Smartboard and discuss how those elements impact the
performance.
5. We will do a Popcorn Performance: Students will be the prompt of life
in a math class. They will write three lines about their life in a math
class. One at a time, they will stand up say one line they wrote,
incorporating the nonverbal elements we noticed in ‘Knock, Knock’.
This will go on until each person has said all three lines.
6. I will talk to the students about their upcoming Spoken Word
assignment. In that assignment, they are to write a Spoken Word
poem and then perform at our class poetry read.
7. Upon learning about the assignment, I will talk to them about the
different types of poems they can do, showing a Youtube video
example of one of the poems (Duet poem) , and demonstrating the
other with a student (Back and Forth).
Adaptations
The written poem could be translated into the language of my English
Language Learners. If there is a student with a speech impediment, then they
can have the option to say 1-2 lines during the Popcorn Performance. Those
who have trouble seeing the board may sit closer to the front and receive
printed notes of the notes taken about the videos.
Materials
‘Knock, Knock video’
‘Sons’ Video.

3. Spoken Word Types 3
Evaluation
They will write down on a piece of paper the name of one type of Spoken
Word poem we talked about (Knock, Knock would be considered a solo) and
describe what it is.
Bibliography
Beaty, D. (2005). “Knock, knock” Def Jam Poetry. Retrieved from
http://genius.com/Daniel-beaty-knock-knock-lyrics
Brown, A & Otuteye M. “The bread loaf school of English: Toolkit for
teaching spoken word & slam poetry. Retrieved from:
www.mvrhs.org/englishdept/shark/.../Teaching%20Slam%20Poetry.doc
Button Poetry. (2013, September 19.) Terisa Siagatonu & Rudy Francisco –
“Sons”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNPaoszr11U
SpokenPoetryTV (2013, May 29). Daniel Beaty- knock knock on dej jam
poetry.
Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXQ2eRHklDc