Perspectives from Powell, Part VI: The Poetry Slam!

This fall, Writing Coordinator Mira Smith is coaching writing at Powell Elementary School in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, DC. The Powell Panthers love soccer, but are also learning how to express their feelings about the beautiful game -- and much more -- through the poetry aspect of DC SCORES. Follow along as Mira takes us on a journey, through her words and those of her poet-athletes, leading up to the Poetry Slam! December 2.

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Written by Mira Smith
Writing Coordinator

12.2.15

Today is the Poetry Slam! and based on my own jitters, it would seem that I, not my students, am the one about to perform on stage in front of 500 people.

Last night, I dreamt that the entire team decided to change the poems the last minute before the Slam! and they expected me to already be familiar with these new poems. I woke up relieved that this was only a dream, but am slightly embarrassed these fears are in my subconscious.

I am proud, however, of the investment to the team I have developed. When I tell the poet-athletes of the dream, one boy reminds me, “But you're not even in the show!”

The students arrive for a pizza party in Powell’s cafeteria and I immediately notice that a couple of poet-athletes are missing. One student informs me that four poet-athletes will not be attending the Slam! because of other obligations. Without hesitation, four students offer to recite those students’ lines because they have every single line memorized anyways ( these guys are amazing!).

The after-care students file into the cafeteria and watch the Powell Power Panthers practice their performance once more before the Slam!. The visible support from their teachers and classmates helps to build the air of anticipation and excitement. We all sit together, munch on some pizza and anxiously await the arrival of the bus.

After what feels like waiting for hours, we hop on the bus and take the 15-minute ride to Columbia Heights Education Campus. Our performance is right in the middle of the lineup of 19 schools, and although some poets are disappointed that we cannot be earlier and get it over with, I explain that this will be a perfect way to learn from the other teams. I am moved, inspired and heartened by every single performance, with topics ranging from immigration to racial injustice to soccer and teamwork.

Next thing I know, a DC SCORES staff member taps me on the shoulder and instructs Coach Matt and I to to bring the team outside to the hallway leading backstage. A photographer snaps a quick team photo and a videographer walks up and down the line of poets capturing the team’s pre-performance nerves. Executive Director Bethany Rubin Henderson gives a quick and effective pep-talk to the Powell Panthers reminding them to speak clearly and directly into the microphones and of course to have lots of fun.

After we hear a round of applause from the previous performance, we walk through the backstage area and wait until emcee Charity Blackwell announces Powell. Coach Matt and I watch from backstage as the Powell Power Panthers execute their introduction, first, second and third poems. I am particularly blown away by Rosio’s individual poem and how she flawlessly incorporates a step routine. There are a few minor hiccups in the performance, but the poets recover quickly.

After, we all walk back to our seats and are able to watch the rest of the show without any stress. To the dismay and disappointment of the Powell Power Panthers, we do not win any awards for the performance. But in comparison to previous years when they were embarrassed by the performance, this year the poet-athletes believed that they actually had a chance of winning. In my opinion, this demonstrates that we really did do our best.

Although many Powell poet-athletes walk back to the bus with shrugged shoulders from disappointment, I hope that when they think of the progress they have made since the first poetry session in September, they will think of it as a win.

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“Bravery”
My name is Rosio,
What you got on me yo?
I’m the flyest chick around these parts
And I make art that breaks hearts.
You cannot compare to me
I am an 11 year old prodigy.
You are lucky to see me here.
My words will blow out your ears…
Drums!

-- Rosio H., 11

Perspectives from Powell, Part V: Countdown to the Slam!

The Powell Panthers will once again take the stage at Columbia Heights Education Campus on Dec. 2. 

This fall, Writing Coordinator Mira Smith is coaching writing at Powell Elementary School in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, DC. The Powell Panthers love soccer, but are also learning how to express their feelings about the beautiful game -- and much more -- through the poetry aspect of DC SCORES. Follow along as Mira takes us on a journey, through her words and those of her poet-athletes, leading up to the Poetry Slam! December 2.

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Written by Mira Smith
Writing Coordinator

11.20.15
The intensity, excitement and nerves are building for the Powell Power Panthers and in just one week we will add our final touches for the Poetry Slam!.

As their coach, I am unbelievably proud of the team and the amount of progress they have made individually and as a whole. I can only imagine how the poet-athletes feel given the fact that I seem to develop a stomach ache every time I realize just how little time there is before the Slam!.

These weeks, we focus on editing poems, assigning lines, and creating basic group choreography. Our first group poem is a chance for students to share fun and important facts about themselves with the audience. Together, we come up with the title “Now You Know Us” along with a clapping call-and-response rhythm.

During our first session of the week, we give any student who is interested in performing his or her individual poem at the Slam! an opportunity to recite it for the rest of the team. Coach Matt gives the group some quick pointers on stance, eye contact and emotion before their mini-performance.

Franklin recites a poem titled “They Tease Me” about standing up to bullies on the soccer field. Katie, recognizing her connection to her heritage, recites a poem in Spanish titled “Hermanos.” She promises to translate it to English for me soon! In America’s poem titled “Lone Wolf,” she compares her own character traits to those of a wolf. Finally, Rosio’s “Bravery” is a rap about her experiences reading poetry.

The students vote for their favorite piece and I am excited to announce that Rosio will be performing “Bravery” on stage Dec. 2 at Columbia Heights Education Campus.

For the remainder of the sessions, we tirelessly practice the group poems. At this point, about half of the poet-athletes have their lines fully memorized and some poets even create hand motions to go along.

In hopes of encouraging the team to memorize the poems, for Thanksgiving break I task each individual poet athlete to recite their lines to as many people as possible and teach the choruses to at least two people. Some team members even suggest meeting up over break to practice their lines.

While we are not yet performance ready, the Slam! is quickly approaching and we cannot wait to show everyone all of our hard work!

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Previous posts:

• Part I
• Part II
• Part III
• Part IV

Perspectives from Powell, Part IV: When I wear my Powell jersey

This fall, Writing Coordinator Mira Smith is coaching writing at Powell Elementary School in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, DC. The Powell Panthers love soccer, but are also learning how to express their feelings about the beautiful game -- and much more -- through the poetry aspect of DC SCORES. Follow along as Mira takes us on a journey, through her words and those of her poet-athletes, leading up to the Poetry Slam! December 2.

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Written by Mira Smith
Writing Coordinator

I am -- Written by John
I represent myself
I represent my team

My team is happy
My team is tough

I am strong
I am nervous when I start

Other people are nervous
Other people scared

They hit the ball
They take the ball

We punish them
They punish us

11.6.2015
We have had a fun week at Powell working on group and individual poems. The excitement and anxiety for the Slam! is building and I can see parts of our performance coming together. My goal for the week is to make significant progress in the group poems and task poet-athletes to think about performing their individual poems.

While reading over some of the soccer poem choruses that poets wrote last week, I notice a common theme. Poet-athletes feel particularly connected and excited about the team when they put on their jerseys. We decide that our first group poem will give team members a chance to share how they feel when they wear their Powell jersey. Coach Matt and I hand out worksheets with the group poem prompt.

I explain, “If you could only get one line to share with the audience, what would it be?”

I work with individual poet-athletes to explore how it feels the second they put on their jersey and how that influences their attitude toward the game. Now, all we have to do is compile the lines together, add in our chorus and the poem will be all set to memorize!

During our second session of the week, students have a chance to work on both individual and group poems. This season, coach Matt and I have discovered that the Powell Panthers are extremely passionate about their families and heritage. We decide together that the second group poem will be a chance for students to share facts about themselves and their families. The group comes up with a fun interactive refrain with stomps and claps (which I have learned is a great way to keep the team enthusiastic and excited about the poem).

You will have to wait until the Slam! to hear the amazing group poem the Powell Power Panthers created.

After the group poem, I run a workshop for those who want to work more on their individual poems. Each student writes the words happy, sad, excited, nervous and comfortable in their notebooks.

“Try to recall a specific moment when you felt each of these emotions,” I explain.

Each student spends the next few minutes trying to remember and then write down a time they felt happy and a time they felt sad (etc.). Finally, I challenge them to choose one memory and write a poem about it. Although many poets initially struggle with the task, two team members write their first complete poems of the fall through this exercise. Shoutout to Conner and Franklin for producing your first original poems!

Each day I am thrilled and surprised by how much the Powell Panthers are writing in their notebooks when I’m not looking. We have a lot of work to do before the Slam!, but I am confident it’s going to be our best performance yet!

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Sad -- Written by Franklin I’m at soccer
But they tease me
So i’m sad

They tease me
Because they say
I suck
And don’t know how to play
And they say
“What are those?”

I will be ready
Stand up and say
“Better than yours!”

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Soccer Game -- Written by Conner
When my team scores a goal
I’m hype
And when we don't
I’m like man -- you had that
And when we win
It's the best feeling ever
And when we lose
I’m mad at me and the team

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Sad -- Written by Emelin
When you step in the field
You can feel
That you are in danger or safe
But when you start playing
One time
The worst thing can happen, you might not know
That you fracture your hand
Your life is ruined

Perspectives from Powell, Part III: Group Poems and Teamwork

This fall, Writing Coordinator Mira Smith is coaching writing at Powell Elementary School in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, DC. The Powell Panthers love soccer, but are also learning how to express their feelings about the beautiful game -- and much more -- through the poetry aspect of DC SCORES. Follow along as Mira takes us on a journey, through her words and those of her poet-athletes, leading up to the Poetry Slam! December 2.

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Written by Mira Smith
Writing Coordinator

My family
My blood
My house floods with love
Love from my mom
We sit in the rug
While watching the movie of hugs
Kisses from my mother
Hugs from my Brother
They love me
I love them back
-- Written by Jennifer

10.30.2015
This week I have the pleasure of staffing Powell’s soccer game against Capital City Public Charter School. Seeing each poet-athlete’s level of determination, sportsmanship and caring toward their teammates reminds me how much progress the team has made since September.

With teamwork month coming to a close, I can see the connection each student feels for the Powell Power Panthers. In hopes of reminding the students that poetry also takes teamwork, I decided to focus on group cooperative work this week.

At the beginning of the session, all of the students step into the hall for a game of ‘cross the line.’ With the students lined up against the wall, I explain to them that I will read out statements and they simply have to follow my instructions.

“Step forward if you get excited before a soccer game.”

“Step forward if you get nervous before soccer games.”

“Step forward if you are excited for the Slam!"

“Step forward if you don’t care about the Slam!”

"Step forward if you love to dance."

As they step forward, I encourage them to look around and see what the rest of their teammates are doing. “Step forward if you want to be a team player,” and every single Panther takes three huge steps.

Next the poets reflect in their notebooks how it felt doing the exercise. Jennifer writes, “It felt good when everybody stepped forward because it shows they want to be a part of the team.” Emelin writes, “It felt normal when they did not step with me because everyone has different opinions of their way of thinking.”

Overall this exercise reminded each student how awesome it feels to be a part of a team but that there are challenges because everyone is different and has a unique experience.

After voting on topics, we decide to write our first group poem about soccer (what a surprise!). In groups, poets write a chorus for the soccer poem. I ask them to think about how soccer makes them feel, how soccer connects the team and to try to use some of the writing tools we have learned over the past two months. One group decides to write a rap titled “Messi is a Beast” and performs it complete with beat-boxing and back-up singers. While I do not want to ruin the surprise and share the group poem before the Poetry Slam! Dec. 2, a couple of team members wrote individual poems in addition to their chorus.

I am a soccer player
I am the world’s best goalie
For my team, no matter what I’ll block those shots and strikes
Light or fast or in the air
I’ll stop them
Running through the sky
I’ll stop them
-- Written by Edwin

When I’m wearing my jersey
I like to eat beef jerky
I defend the game
But at the end of the game
We lose and that's a shame
Midfield runs to the ball
As they were cheetahs running through the mall
When I wear my jersey I get so murky (crazy)
I love to play soccer through the day
But it always ends with our strength and smartness through the day
-- Written by Lea

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Previous Posts
Part I
Part II

Perspectives from Powell, Part II: Pumpkins and personifications

This fall, Writing Coordinator Mira Smith is coaching writing at Powell Elementary School in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, DC. The Powell Panthers love soccer, but are also learning how to express their feelings about the beautiful game -- and much more -- through the poetry aspect of DC SCORES. Follow along as Mira takes us on a journey, through her words and those of her poet-athletes, leading up to the Poetry Slam! December 2.

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Written by Mira Smith
Writing Coordinator

Christmas we celebrate
For the things people appreciate
We give and get
But giving is better
If your gifts are clever
Santa comes at night and leaves us presents
We love Christmas
How about you?
Jennifer C., Powell Elementary School

Teamwork both on and off the field has been a continuous lesson for the Powell Power Panthers the past two weeks. I am thrilled to see that on the soccer field individual players and the team as a whole have learned to understand what good teamwork entails.

Now, it’s time to focus on teamwork in a less competitive environment -- the poetry classroom. We begin by exploring how to be a good teammate when a fellow team member is reading their poems, going over various ways to show respect to the reader.

“Make eye contact”, says John.

“Don't talk while they talk,” Bryan answers.

The Powell Power Panthers are still learning to implement these in the poetry sessions, but as the Poetry Slam! nears -- five weeks away! -- I am confident the team will begin to understand just how essential respect is to teamwork and success.

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Last week we had the pleasure of inviting Gowri Koneswaran, a poet from the American Poetry Museum, to lead a poetry workshop for our team. She begins by asking anyone who is a poet to raise their hand. At first many team members hesitate, but slowly about three fourths of team members put their hands in the air.

“What makes a poem?”she asks.

“It has lines and stanzas."

“You can express yourself."

“They rhyme!”

Ms. Gowri explains that the class will be learning about personification today. Personification is a figure of speech that gives human qualities to animals, objects or ideas, and Ms.Gowri explains how personification can be a useful tool in poetry.

Each poet-athlete is tasked with writing fall personification sentences. Together, the team comes up with a list of fall words such as leaves, Thanksgiving, pumpkins, wind or apples. Next they compile a list of what Ms. Gowri calls “people words.” These are things that people do or feel such as celebrate, sleep, dance or dream.

To create fall personifications, Ms. Gowri writes, “[Fall word] [people word] when ____________________” on the board to use as a template to make a fall poem. Although the students initially struggle to write seemingly pretend and false sentences, they eventually see how using their imaginations can lead to fantastic poems. A huge thanks to Ms. Gowri for leading an engaging and unique lesson. I am excited to share some of the Powell Power Panthers’ Fall poems below:

Thanksgiving eats when you thank someone
Halloween celebrates when kids go outside and asks for candy
Pumpkins die when it’s October and when it’s rotting
-- Written by Dulce

The pumpkins are sleeping. 
They are sleeping because they don’t move
The leaves dancing when they fall off trees 
and the wind blows them on the sidewalk
The acorn dies because the squirrel eats it
The rake dreams of eating the leaves instead of helping them get together
-- Written by Daysha

Pumpkins eat food when they get carved
Pumpkins get scared when the carving people come
The leaves dance when the wind comes
The leaf blower is scared when there are a lot of leaves
-- Written by Zuri

Pumpkins die when you carve a pumpkin when you make a jack o'lantern
My leaf blower exhales the leafs from my front porch
Thanksgiving teases me when i eat thanksgiving dinner
Squirrels eat acorns so they won't starve to death
-- Written by Lea