Lesson Plans on Spoken Word for 7th and 8th Graders

At Cellular Vibrations, we are passionate about learning. Learning is lifelong and we are interested in giving students the opportunity to learn various perspectives. Learning about Black history and perspectives is essential to understanding the full story of our country and to building a more just and equitable society.

We recently developed a lesson plan on West African spoken word based upon "OBAFA", four spoke word poems by Muhammed Dibbasey. The poems have been made into short films which are available on YouTube. The videos are gaining press recognition and have been accepted to the Lift-Off Sessions Film Festival in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom this August 2023.

This lesson plan is designed for 7th and 8th grade students. It is a great way to introduce students to the history and culture of West Africa, as well as the power of spoken word poetry.

You can view and download the lesson plan here. It includes the following activities:

• Reading aloud four poems collectively titled "OBAFA" by Muhammed Dibbasey
• Discussing the poem's themes, imagery, and rhythm
• Writing their own spoken word poems about topics that are important to them

West African Spoken Word Poets

West Africa has many spoken word poets in addition to Muhammed Dibbasey, who is very young at 24 years old. The theme common in West African poetry is that of identity, race, and belonging. Here are most noted spoken word poets in West Africa:

• Adebayo Oke-Lawal is a Nigerian spoken word poet who has performed all over the world. He is known for his poems about social justice and political change.
• Titilope Sonuga is a Nigerian spoken word poet and playwright. She is the founder of the Speak Your Truth Festival, a platform for young people to share their stories through spoken word poetry.
• Dike Okoroafor is a Nigerian spoken word poet and author. He is the author of the book "The Price of a Kiss," a collection of poems about love, loss, and identity.
• Abigail George is a Ghanaian spoken word poet and activist. She is the founder of the Speak Your Truth Ghana Festival, a platform for young people to share their stories through spoken word poetry.
• Afua Hirsch is a British-Ghanaian spoken word poet and writer. She is the author of the book "Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging," a collection of essays about race and identity in the UK.

These are just a few of the many spoken word poets in West Africa. Spoken word poetry is a growing art form in the region, and it is a powerful way for people to share their stories and experiences.

Cellular Vibrations is excited to share this lesson plan with you and we hope you will give it a try. Of course, we are open to feedback and would be happy to answer any questions you have. We cannot address the problem of inequality without first understanding the perspective of impact on Black people all over the world. By learning about Black history and perspectives, we can begin to dismantle the systems of oppression that have kept Black people marginalized for centuries.

The lesson plan can be viewed and downloaded here.

About Cellular Vibrations

Cellular Vibrations is a Gambian-based digital marketing agency dedicated to helping businesses in West Africa succeed in the digital age. Our founder, Muhammed Dibbasey, has a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing Gambian businesses, and he has developed a reputation for providing effective digital marketing and social media solutions that deliver measurable results.

As the world becomes increasingly connected, we recognize that businesses in West Africa must embrace digital technology to stay competitive. At Cellular Vibrations, we specialize in providing customized digital marketing solutions that help businesses achieve their goals and connect with customers online. Our services include website design and development, search engine optimization, social media marketing, email marketing, and more.