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Slam Poetry Example: "What Teachers Make" by Taylor Mali
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Description
What It Is:
A powerful and engaging poetry worksheet featuring an excerpt from Taylor Mali’s famous spoken-word poem “What Teachers Make.” This worksheet highlights Mali’s bold response to misconceptions about teachers, capturing the passion, impact, and emotional strength behind the teaching profession.
Why Use It:
This worksheet introduces students to contemporary spoken-word poetry while exploring themes of respect, stereotypes, and the value of educators. It helps students analyze tone, voice, and rhetorical devices such as repetition, contrast, and argument structure. The poem is a strong model for persuasive and performance poetry.
How to Use It:
• Use to introduce a unit on spoken-word or slam poetry.
• Have students annotate the poem for tone, attitude, and strong word choices.
• Pair with a discussion about the role of teachers and the message behind the poem.
• Use as a mentor text for writing personal response poems or spoken-word monologues.
• Encourage students to practice reading it aloud to understand rhythm and delivery.
Grade Suitability:
Best for Grades 8–12.
• Suitable for ELA, poetry analysis, persuasive writing, and performance poetry units.
• Works well for class discussions, group analysis, or independent practice.
Target Users:
Designed for teachers, literacy coaches, and homeschool educators who want to engage students with modern, relatable, and emotionally powerful poetry.
A powerful and engaging poetry worksheet featuring an excerpt from Taylor Mali’s famous spoken-word poem “What Teachers Make.” This worksheet highlights Mali’s bold response to misconceptions about teachers, capturing the passion, impact, and emotional strength behind the teaching profession.
Why Use It:
This worksheet introduces students to contemporary spoken-word poetry while exploring themes of respect, stereotypes, and the value of educators. It helps students analyze tone, voice, and rhetorical devices such as repetition, contrast, and argument structure. The poem is a strong model for persuasive and performance poetry.
How to Use It:
• Use to introduce a unit on spoken-word or slam poetry.
• Have students annotate the poem for tone, attitude, and strong word choices.
• Pair with a discussion about the role of teachers and the message behind the poem.
• Use as a mentor text for writing personal response poems or spoken-word monologues.
• Encourage students to practice reading it aloud to understand rhythm and delivery.
Grade Suitability:
Best for Grades 8–12.
• Suitable for ELA, poetry analysis, persuasive writing, and performance poetry units.
• Works well for class discussions, group analysis, or independent practice.
Target Users:
Designed for teachers, literacy coaches, and homeschool educators who want to engage students with modern, relatable, and emotionally powerful poetry.
