Slam+Poetry

[|'What Teachers Make']

====I chose the poem 'What Teachers Make', because out of all the videos of poems being recited by Taylor Mali which I watched, this was the one which to me stood out the most. This is because it made a true impact on my opinion on what really matters in life, through the example of teachers and how much of a difference they really make through their profession on so many lives, even though they don't recieve the highest paycheck for their service. Taylor proves through his inspiring poem that what's important in life isn't what or how much money you make through your profession or even your own actions, because what really matters is the positive change you create. What Mali proves in this poem is a fact that I completely agree with. ==== ====The poem started out talking about how much teachers make as a salary, but quickly changed into an explanation of the positive difference they make in their students lives, through teaching them discipline and how to work their hardest so they can release their fullest potential. The way Taylor Mali wrote this poem was through the perspective of a teacher, his own profession (other than a slam poet), and is recognizing what exactly makes a great teacher. Ultimately, what makes a great teacher is passion. He used passion within the poem through his voice and the words which he spoke to get this point across in a relovant way to the meaning of the poem, which is what I liked the most about this poem. Every point which the author made was backed up by an example of what he does as a teacher, using poetic devices. ====

Great use of examples to support your points. Well Done! 30/36

>> "What's a kid going to learn >> from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" >> He reminds the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about >> teachers: >> Those who can, do; those who can't, teach. >> I decide to bite my tongue instead of his >> and resist the temptation to remind the other dinner guests >> that it's also true what they say about lawyers. >> Because we're eating, after all, and this is polite company. >> "I mean, you¹re a teacher, Taylor," he says. >> "Be honest. What do you make?" >> And I wish he hadn't done that >> (asked me to be honest) >> because, you see, I have a policy >> about honesty and ass-kicking: >> if you ask for it, I have to let you have it. >> You want to know what I make? >> I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. >> I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional medal of honor >> and an A- feel like a slap in the face. >> How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best. >> I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall >> in absolute silence. No, you may not work in groups. >> No, you may not ask a question. >> Why won't I let you get a drink of water? >> Because you're not thirsty, you're bored, that's why. >> I make parents tremble in fear when I call home: >> I hope I haven't called at a bad time, >> I just wanted to talk to you about something Billy said today. >> Billy said, "Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don't you?" >> And it was the noblest act of courage I have ever seen. >> I make parents see their children for who they are >> and what they can be. >> You want to know what I make? >> I make kids wonder, >> I make them question. >> I make them criticize. >> I make them apologize and mean it. >> I make them write, write, write. >> And then I make them read. >> I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely >> beautiful >> over and over and over again until they will never misspell >> either one of those words again. >> I make them show all their work in math. >> And hide it on their final drafts in English. >> I make them understand that if you got this (brains) >> then you follow this (heart) and if someone ever tries to judge you >> by what you make, you give them this (the finger). >> Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true: >> I make a goddamn difference! What about you? >> >> ======Taylor Mali uses many excellent hidden poetic devices in this piece of slam poetry. The metaphors, 'I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honour.." and ".. an A- feel like a slap in the face if a student did not do his or her very best." This line proves that as a teacher, he is fair with the way he marks his students based on their own abilities and he has the power to show them what they really are capable of, as well as the power to bring that potential out of them in the first place. An example of a hyperbole in this poem is the line where he says, "I hope I haven't called at a bad time." Mali was exaggerating by saying this, because one of the most frightening things to a parent would be when a teacher calls the parent of a child, only meaning they must have done something unacceptable. ======

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Overall, I really loved this poem. It was well written, well spoken, and proved a very valid point about the difference teachers really make on so many people's lives - without thinking about their salary. ======