Bad Poetry Reading
Your students have been writing poems for weeks. Most of them are pretty mediocre, but even the really good poems aren't being shared with the class. Students are fearful of being teased or are just afraid of public performances. Kids (and adults) often feel anxious about reading their written work aloud, but poetry is meant for performance. So have a Bad Poetry Reading in which students read their worst poems. Remember—they're supposed to be bad.
Advantages to a Bad Poetry Reading:
- Creates a safe environment for sharing what students have written.
- Gives students the freedom to create something interesting.
- Writing badly on purpose contributes to a better understanding of the rules of good writing. After all, you need to know the rules in order to break them effectively.
- Teaches by example that poetry can be fun.
- Offers the opportunity for a fun and approachable public speaking experience.
Note: A Bad Poetry Reading does require a level of commitment and maturity on the part of the students involved. Only you can decide if this program will work with your students.
Suggestions for organizing your Bad Poetry Reading:
- Kids should create poems specifically for this event. Work with them to deliberately break some of the writing rules you've been teaching.
- Do it up—have people dress in their best clothes, serve food on good plates and punch in nice glasses. Create formal invitations for school personnel.
- Award prizes for worst poem, worst rhyme, most difficult to read aloud, most confusing metaphor, etc. You could also give each student an award certificate for participating.
- Afterwards, create a book of bad poetry containing all the poems, with special features on the award winners. Give the library a copy for the shelves.
- Remember: Make it fun. The more the kids understand the concept, the more involved they will become, and the more poetry will be read, written, and enjoyed in your classroom and school.
Some Rules for Bad Poetry Readings:
- It's supposed to be bad.
- All poems must be written by the reader.
- Groaning and laughter are allowed, but no outright heckling or teasing.
- Set a time limit for each poem - say 2-3 minutes.
- No obscenities (and any other content rules applicable to your school policies).
- No poems making fun of other students.
Possible Awards for Bad Poetry Reading
- Worst poem
- Worst rhyme
- Least meaningful poem
- Worst use of onomatopoeia
- Most confusing metaphor
- Most repetitive rhyme
- Most creative rhyme
- Most difficult poem to read aloud
- Most difficult poem to read aloud without giggling
- Worst bad poem (in other words, the best poem)
- Poem with the most words that aren't words
- Most awkward syntax
- Funniest sad poem
- Saddest funny poem
- Silliest poem
- Funniest poem
- Most laid-back poem
- Too-longest poem
- Too-shortest poem
- Most unintelligible grammar
- Most gratuitous use of alliteration
- Best performance
- Most stoic performance
- Most over-the-top performance
- Most original subject
- Least understood poem