Water Rocks! Spoken Earth: Poetry for the Planet
Built for students in grades 5-12, Water Rocks! Spoken Earth workshops combine science, spoken word poetry, literature, art, popular culture, and advocacy. It’s poetry for the planet, and the poet is you!
Co-led by spoken word and rap expert Emmett Phillips and Water Rocks! team members, students will be engaged in learning about the history of spoken word poetry along with the science of water quality. Students will then be challenged to find their own voices in writing original spoken word poetry about the earth around them, along with an opportunity to perform their pieces for their classmates.
Grades
Water Rocks! Spoken Earth workshops are available to students in grades 5-12.
Technology Requirements
Water Rocks! Spoken Earth workshops are designed especially for dynamic, interactive virtual delivery over Zoom. To maximize participation and interaction, we ask that students be connected on individual devices (computers and tablets preferred, over smartphones). New this school year, we are also testing an in-person version of the workshop, dependent on school interest and safety considerations.
Cost
Water Rocks! Spoken Earth workshops are available free of charge. Many thanks to our partners for making this possible!
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve had Water Rocks! present at our school before. Is this going to be the exact same presentation we saw then?
No. Water Rocks! Spoken Earth workshops are a brand-new endeavor launched in spring 2021 and remixed for fall 2021, bringing together science, spoken word poetry, literature, art, popular culture, and advocacy.
How long does the Water Rocks! Spoken Earth workshop last?
40 minutes, designed to fit conveniently within your class periods.
Can you present to multiple classes back-to-back?
Yes, we are happy to! We are able to offer up to six workshops in a single day. Once your workshop date is confirmed, our team members will work with you to solidify a schedule for the day.
How do we access the presentation?
WR! team members will email the private Zoom workshop link to the teacher in advance. Teacher are responsible for sharing the link with students.
Can students learning from home participate in the presentation?
Yes, absolutely! We will email the presentation link to each teacher in advance, and that can be distributed to students learning from home.
Will the workshop be recorded for students that are absent?
No. Workshops are not able to be recorded, as per Iowa State University Risk Management youth program policies.
Will the new in-person version of the workshop be different from the virtual version?
Only in format! Both the in-person and virtual versions are fully interactive, with live hosting from Emmett Phillips and the Water Rocks! team. We are currently piloting the in-person version in selected Polk County schools, and may be able to offer it to other schools as well this year, dependent on interest and travel considerations.
Iowa Core Connection
Water Rocks! Spoken Earth helps to fulfill the following Iowa Core Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects:
WHST.6-8.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
WHST.6-8.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
WHST.9-10.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
WHST.9-10.5
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
WHST.11-12.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
WHST.11-12.5
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.