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Learn Then Burn
We asked some of the best contemporary spoken word and slam poets to give us poems that would be
appropriate for the classroom.
A complaint we've heard from many teachers is that they would love to use spoken word in their classrooms but they
are afraid of getting in trouble. A bulk of spoken word poetry does have quite a few curses. After all, those poems
were meant to be read to a rowdy crowd of adults at a slam and not a class full of kids. The poems come from the
gut and sometimes an "F" bomb finds its way to the page. Unfortunately, this is what holds many teachers back from
using spoken word in their classes.
So behold! The creation of, Learn Then Burn .
You will not have to sift through this book with a highlighter to try and find the F's and the S's and the B's. We've
provided poems from national slam champs, world slam champs, fellow teachers, and poets we feel are the best of
what's around.
We've also included some lessons. Some of these lessons have been tested out in the classroom, some not. Feel free
to use these lessons as you see fit. Every teacher has their own style so please, do not feel like you have to use the
lessons verbatim. Simplify, expand, modify, do whatever you need to do. You know your class so teach the poems
the way that suits them best. The most important part is the poetry.
appropriate for the classroom.
A complaint we've heard from many teachers is that they would love to use spoken word in their classrooms but they
are afraid of getting in trouble. A bulk of spoken word poetry does have quite a few curses. After all, those poems
were meant to be read to a rowdy crowd of adults at a slam and not a class full of kids. The poems come from the
gut and sometimes an "F" bomb finds its way to the page. Unfortunately, this is what holds many teachers back from
using spoken word in their classes.
So behold! The creation of, Learn Then Burn .
You will not have to sift through this book with a highlighter to try and find the F's and the S's and the B's. We've
provided poems from national slam champs, world slam champs, fellow teachers, and poets we feel are the best of
what's around.
We've also included some lessons. Some of these lessons have been tested out in the classroom, some not. Feel free
to use these lessons as you see fit. Every teacher has their own style so please, do not feel like you have to use the
lessons verbatim. Simplify, expand, modify, do whatever you need to do. You know your class so teach the poems
the way that suits them best. The most important part is the poetry.
- GenresPoetry
122 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2010
3 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Derrick Brown
47 books88 followersDerrick Brown, former paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne, gondolier, magician, and fired weatherman, now travels the world and performs his written work. From Long Beach, CA, he is dedicated to bringing American poetry into rock and roll status.
As a poet, he has toured or performed with Indie rock act, Cold War Kids, The Decemberists, Comedian David Cross, Richard Swift, Pink Mountaintops and at the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival with the Flaming Lips and Animal Collective. His work has been featured in books with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Jeff Buckley, Jack Hirschman, Amber Tamblyn and poet laureate Ted Kooser. He has performed at the largest outdoor festival in the world, Glastonbury, as an author.
As one of the most original and well-traveled writer/performers in the country, Derrick Brown has gained a cult following for his poetry performances all over the U.S. and Europe. A poetic terrorism group has taken to tagging his metaphors across the globe. About.com called his latest collection, Scandalabra, one of the best books of 2009.
To date, Brown has performed at over 1500 venues and universities internationally including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, La Sorbonne in Paris, CBGB’s in NYC and a small Jewish youth group in Glendale. He is the host of the variety show, The Lightbulb Mouth Radio Hour. Lightbulbmouth.com
Known for a moving show that incorporates poetry, minimalist music, and sound fx, Brown is unique for being an outstanding performer but is foremost a page poet. He is the president of Write Bloody Publishing, the first indie press to be reviewed with favor by Forbes magazine.
Derrick is available for booking performances, workshops, Master of Ceremonies, Master of Puppets as well as Host for shows and motivational-ish commencement speeches.
As a poet, he has toured or performed with Indie rock act, Cold War Kids, The Decemberists, Comedian David Cross, Richard Swift, Pink Mountaintops and at the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival with the Flaming Lips and Animal Collective. His work has been featured in books with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Jeff Buckley, Jack Hirschman, Amber Tamblyn and poet laureate Ted Kooser. He has performed at the largest outdoor festival in the world, Glastonbury, as an author.
As one of the most original and well-traveled writer/performers in the country, Derrick Brown has gained a cult following for his poetry performances all over the U.S. and Europe. A poetic terrorism group has taken to tagging his metaphors across the globe. About.com called his latest collection, Scandalabra, one of the best books of 2009.
To date, Brown has performed at over 1500 venues and universities internationally including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, La Sorbonne in Paris, CBGB’s in NYC and a small Jewish youth group in Glendale. He is the host of the variety show, The Lightbulb Mouth Radio Hour. Lightbulbmouth.com
Known for a moving show that incorporates poetry, minimalist music, and sound fx, Brown is unique for being an outstanding performer but is foremost a page poet. He is the president of Write Bloody Publishing, the first indie press to be reviewed with favor by Forbes magazine.
Derrick is available for booking performances, workshops, Master of Ceremonies, Master of Puppets as well as Host for shows and motivational-ish commencement speeches.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 19, 2017
I could shower praise on this book until my fingers are numb, but you need to know only one thing - every single student I have EVER shared this book with has gone nuts for it. If you've ever tried to teach a teenager poetry, you know that it isn't always easy. If you're struggling with finding poems that your students will get into, or if you're just looking for an introduction to some of today's newest, most talented writers, get your hands on this book. And for teachers, there's a bonus - the teacher's companion is FANTASTIC!
August 20, 2021
A lot of pieces sharp and worth reading. I can see the angle towards high school and college students with a focused voice. Still, parts of it seem somewhat dated. How much the world has changed since 2010.
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August 12, 2016
Awesome! I cannot tell you how much work this saved me. I was familiar with many of the Spoken Word poets represented in the anthology, but not all. It is priceless to have someone else sift out all the profanity but NOT filter out the powerful poems in this under represented genre. Teens from all backgrounds really loved this unit. {NB: I used this in an Islamic High School}
January 1, 2013
A great poetry collection. Don't be deceived by its title; it's great for non-students as well (the title comes from its focus on poems about growing up, etc.).
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews