Truth+Image = Poetry

How do you get teenage boys fired up about language, poetry and the power of the spoken word?

As part of the English curriculum, we explored the concept of being coachable using the recent resurgence of Thierry Henry who started his career as a promising winger, but by being coachable and listening to Arsene Wenger, became one of the best strikers in world football.

After debating the concept, the boys agreed that just like Thierry, they were coachable! After sharing a couple of powerful, lyrical poems (anything that moves you will do) the boys set to work writing.

We encouraged boys to be honest with themselves and with each other an by exploring their ‘truth’ and combining that with imagery the could create dramatic, outstanding poetry. The boys shared their personal life experiences enriching their vocabularies and thinking skills in the process.

They then recorded each other ( flip cameras) and used green screen to bring powerful imagery into their work. The atmosphere was electric and the experience was unforgettably powerful for everyone involved.

We are all poets, including those boys labelled ‘difficult to engage’ but don’t take my word for it, listen to the boys!