Slam poetry is an event held by the sophomore teachers at Wilsonville High school. It started with the 2026 class, and it contains many different groups or individuals that perform their poetry acts.
Poetry is an important part of Sophomore English language classes because it teaches students a new way of writing. It shows them to write with feeling and expression rather than writing an ordinary sentence without emotion. Poetry helps students learn how a language can carry emotion and perspective.
Language Arts teacher Mrs. Heaton says, “I hope students develop confidence while writing their poetry and feel good about the power of their words in order to express their feelings. I also want them to feel confident speaking in front of others which can be a difficult task to conquer. Understanding that they can be supportive as a community is what poetry is all about.”
Poetry allows for a safe space to express any emotions you may be feeling. For example, you can take your anger and turn it into art. This can help students express ideas, opinions, or experiences into writing rather than having to talk about them to other people.
Additionally, writing in a way you’re unfamiliar with can strengthen your language skills. It sharpens your vocabulary, imagery, and tone in a writing piece. As well as teaches you skills that improve many kinds of writing that aren’t just poetry.
Slam poetry is a form of performance poetry that combines with your emotions. It makes you express the feelings you felt while writing your poem out loud. It’s performed aloud and its message is supposed to affect others listening to it through how the words sound and how they make each person feel.
The winner of the 25-26 Slam poetry competition Noah Yandall speaks on his experience. He states, “I was inspired to write my poem because I watched a video that explained how a lot of students tend to waste their gifts, but my parents taught me to always use my time wisely and live in the moment.”
However, there can be some challenges to writing and understanding the goal of slam poetry. There are complexities to the language that create layers to what you’re reading. Overcoming these challenges requires patience, skill, knowledge, and willingness to engage with the text.
Mrs. Heaton shares, “Students often come into class thinking poetry needs to be fancy and highfalutin, but that is not the case. The biggest challenge is helping them understand that they are a poet and have a voice when they write.”