How to Run a Poetry Slam in Your Primary School 🎤
A poetry slam is one of the most exciting ways to bring poetry to life in your classroom. Instead of just reading or writing poems quietly, children get the chance to perform their work aloud in front of an audience. It’s fun, fast-paced, and brilliant for building confidence in speaking, listening, and creative expression.
Best of all, a poetry slam can be set up with very little preparation – and once pupils know the format, they’ll be begging to do it again!
👉 In my Poetry Days in primary schools across the UK I work hard to get the children excited about writing and performing their own poems. I visit over 100 schools every year and I’d love to work with your children and teachers.
📅 You can book me for:
In-person Poetry Days across the UK
Online Poetry Workshops (affordable and flexible)
➡ Secure your date here: Poets in Schools – Ian Bland
Hundreds of FREE poetry ideas, activities and resources-ready to download!
What is a Poetry Slam?
A poetry slam is like a performance competition for poets. Pupils share their chosen poems on stage (or at the front of the classroom) while the audience listens, cheers, and sometimes even votes for their favourite performance. Unlike a spelling test or grammar quiz, a slam celebrates creativity, voice and personality.
Step-by-Step Guide to Running a KS2 Poetry Slam
1. Warm-Up with Performance Games 🎭
Before starting, get children comfortable with performing. Try:
Tongue twisters
Call-and-response chants
Quick-fire silly rhymes
This breaks the ice and gets everyone laughing.
2. Choose a Poem from the Library 📚
Instead of writing brand-new poems, ask pupils to choose one from the class library, school library, or even from anthologies you’ve studied together.
Encourage them to pick poems that:
Have strong rhythm or rhyme
Are dramatic, funny or emotional
Can be performed with real energy
This way, every child has access to high-quality poetry and can focus fully on how to perform it.
poems that work brilliantly in assemblies
Get yourself a signed book!
3. Rehearse the Performance 🎤
Give pupils time to practise reading aloud. Encourage:
Clear voices
Big expressions
Using gestures or actions
Making eye contact with the audience
quick games to warm up young performers
4. Host the Slam 🌟
Set up the classroom like a performance space. Dim the lights a little, create a “stage” at the front, and perhaps add a microphone (real or pretend!). Invite pupils up one by one to perform their poem.
The audience should cheer and clap after each performance – that’s half the fun!
Great for teachers looking to save time!
5. Judging and Prizes 🏆
You can keep it light-hearted by:
Having a panel of teachers/peers give scores out of 10
Letting the audience cheer for their favourites
Awarding fun categories like “Best Performer,” “Funniest Poem,” or “Most Dramatic Delivery”
Why Poetry Slams Work So Well in Primary Schools
✔️ Builds confidence in speaking and listening
✔️ Encourages creativity and self-expression
✔️ Turns reluctant readers into excited performers
✔️ Creates a real sense of classroom community and fun
Top Tip for Teachers 🍎
Link your slam to a theme (e.g. Anti-Bullying Week, World Book Day, National Poetry Day, or even end-of-topic celebrations). It gives children a focus and makes their performances extra meaningful.
celebrate National Poetry Day with a live workshop
Final Word
A poetry slam is more than just a literacy lesson – it’s an unforgettable experience that helps children find their voices and share them proudly. Try running one this term, and watch your pupils light up the stage! 🎤✨
👉 In my Poetry Days in primary schools across the UK I work hard to get the children excited about writing and performing their own poems. I visit over 100 schools every year and I’d love to work with your children and teachers.
📅 You can book me for:
In-person Poetry Days across the UK
Online Poetry Workshops (affordable and flexible)
➡ Secure your date here: Poets in Schools – Ian Bland
👉 Looking for ready-made slam poems? Take a look at my Poems to Learn and Perform blog – full of verses that work perfectly in a poetry slam.
