As mentioned in my introduction, one of the main purposes of this unit is to provide a link between generations. I think students need to understand that adults and particularly teachers have or have had some of the same concerns as they do now. There are many ways to do this, but this unit will use poetry as the impetus or vehicle to get to that point.
The unit will also provide a fun way for teachers and students to study and appreciate poetry. What teacher hasn't had the experience when introducing a poetry unit or lesson when a student (usually male) gives a sigh and asserts, "I don't do poetry." The stigma students sometimes attach to poetry may be alleviated here. I find that many students, even the die-hard anti-poetry ones, enjoy poetry once they begin to understand it and experiment with it. The spoken word and the poetry slam are aspects of poetry that my students at the middle school level have not really been exposed to. But, again as mentioned in my introduction, I have seen the power of the spoken word and can vouch for its effect on my previous students. The poetry slam that is the end product of this unit should provide students with a really enjoyable production that will be an eye opening experience.