At the risk of sounding like a airheaded 13 year old on her way out of the Gap, I thought the Poetry Slam was totally awesome.
I really enjoyed hearing everyone's poetry selections in tonights class. I thought it was really interesting to see what different people chose to read, how they read it, and the classes reaction to it. Some was funny and demanded a chuckle, while some was moving and thought provoking.
I think if students were exposed to poetry in a more relaxed atmosphere like we were tonight, maybe poetry would have a better reputation. I think if we learned to look at it and maybe even liked the idea that we dont understand some of it, people would enjoy it so much more.
I liked that some people chose selections out of our text and that some people went out and found other works, it made for a very diverse reading. As did the fact that we were given very few limitations, we didnt talk about what would be appropriate, or if it had to have iambic pentameter, we just looked for something that stood out to us, and that made it so much more interesting and personal.
What did you guys think?
The suggstions in class for next time were great... I don't know that poetry from before 1915 will speak quite as powerfully to today's students, but the enthusiasm of the presenters really helped. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Heidi-
You took the thoughts out of my head, and threw them in the appropriate context of words. I was thinking that the relaxed atmosphere was excellent. I have a fear of public speaking, so I wasn't exactly looking forward to this either, but like you said, the atmosphere made it more apealing.
*Melinda