Students in 5/6D have been using the picture story book ‘Common Wealth’ by Greigg Dreis to develop their critical reading and thinking skills. They have been exploring the text’s genre – Slam Poetry, which is chosen by authors who are passionate/have very strong feelings/opinions about an issue and are using this vehicle to develop awareness and a call for action. Students have been practising reading the poem. identifying the author’s purpose and inferring the central themes inherent in the book. Topical issues which are very relevant have been raised and the students have been asking lots of questions and making insightful observations.

Here are some of the children’s thoughts:

I think that someone who writes Slam Poetry argues and protests so that those who are in power/with the ability in their job, can listen to their arguments and will make changes. They want politicians to go to an election. People who want change write this type of poetry.    By Jasper. W

I think people write slam poetry because they want to make a change and a difference to something that is impacting their lives. For example, how our First Nation’s people have been treated and land rights. Slam poets can also talk about racism and disrespect they see in society today. It is an effective way for people to protest.    By Kaitlyn L

The themes in this book are racism, equality and fairness because it was talking about how things should be changed and how unfair it was for the aboriginals.   

By Brooklyn

This poem makes me feel like others and I should be reflecting on how we treat the environment and how we should be taking care of nature and our planet.  We should be taking care of this environment because after it has been destroyed the loss is irretrievable . People take nature and the environment for granted.  We should not be taking nature for granted because nature helps us survive and live healthy lives.  The environment produces resources such as paper, food and fibres to help us live.  I think if we do not take care of our environment we should give it back to the aborigines. They will take care of it because it has been their pride and joy for thousands of years.   By Darby

I think slam poetry’s purpose is to protest about what the writer believes in. The people who write slam poems usually have a reason to write, like issues with the world, for example racial equality.   Harvey G