LYRICAL MINDED: Enhancing Literacy 
through Popular Culture and Spoken Word Poetry

In summer 2004, Brooklyn College Now offered a new professional development opportunity for eight high school professionals from Brooklyn College Academy, East New York Family Academy and Freedom Academy, entitled “Lyrical Minded: Enhancing Literacy through Popular Culture and Spoken Word Poetry.”  Working with Professor Priya Parmar literacy and curriculum development specialist from Brooklyn College’s School of Education, six teachers, a principal and a guidance counselor designed four- to six-week instructional units for use in fall 2004.  These incorporated specific genres of popular culture to promote literacy, analytic and other essential skills by making connections between students’ experience and the high school curriculum.  The aim was also to raise students’ and teachers’ critical awareness of the ways in which the popular media shape individuals’ conceptions of self and of the world.  Members of the urban poetry community conducted spoken word poetry workshops during the summer to introduce the concept of the Spoken Word.  Literacy specialists and spoken word artists were also made available to assist educators and their students during the implementation of the units during the academic school year.  The units were successfully implemented in all three schools, and included a professional development and a counseling curriculum as well as units in several academic disciplines and the arts.  Students whose classes were included in the program participated in poetry slams held at each school and attended a culminating performance featuring participating students at Nuyorican Poets Café in Manhattan. 

Brooklyn College Now’s Lyrical Minded program continues its collaboration with Brooklyn high school educators and students in which teachers currently design and implement 9-12 week instructional units.

If you are interested in participating in the program or would like to learn more, please contact Brooklyn College Now Coordinator, Pieranna Pieroni at PieroniP@brooklyn.cuny.edu

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