Crossing Boundaries Through Bilingual, Spoken-Word Poetry

Printouts

Websites

Preparation

 

PRINTOUTS

• Glossary of Terms
  
  
• Exquisite Corpse Game – Spanish A
  
  
• Exquisite Corpse Game – Spanish B
  
  
• Exquisite Corpse Game – English A
  
  
• Exquisite Corpse Game – English B
  
  
• Bilingual Poem Model, Option 1: Code-Switching
  
  
• Bilingual Poem Model, Option 2: Diamante
  
  
• Bilingual Poem Model, Option 3: Poema en Dos Voces
  
  
• Bilingual Poem Evaluation
  
  
• Spoken-Word Poem Delivery Evaluation
  
  
• Poets’ Circle Peer Evaluation
  
  
• Making a Difference Through Community Service Learning

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WEBSITES

• Verbs on Asphalt
  
  
• HBO: Brave New Voices

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PREPARATION

1. Review sample spoken-word videos at Verbs on Asphalt and HBO: Brave New Voices. Bookmark appropriate videos for your classroom. Please note that the content is continually being updated and some video may contain strong language, so it is very important that you preview the content first.
   
   
2. If you do not have classroom computers with Internet access, reserve time in your school’s computer lab for Sessions 1 and 4–6.
   
   
3. Plan out a realistic timeline for this unit. You may need longer than the suggested 90 minutes per session, according to the needs and language proficiency of your students. For example, an ESL classroom may require more time in working out the language of the poem than a class that has students who are already proficient in both languages.
   
   
4. Make one photocopy for each student of each of the printouts listed in the Resources section. Depending on the language you teach and your students’ abilities, you may opt to use only one or two of the Exquisite Corpse Game – English A, Exquisite Corpse Game – English B, Exquisite Corpse Game – Spanish A, or Exquisite Corpse Game – Spanish B. Please note that use of the Making a Difference Through Community Service Learning handout as an extension is optional.
   
   
5. Make arrangements to reserve the auditorium or another suitable space for the poetry slam, including arranging for microphones and sound equipment if available.

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