Honouring the creative process by leading students to create an artifact they can keep with them for years to come is a perfect way to bring the poetry unit to a close. By now, your students have engaged in writing poetry, and reading poetry, and making poetry that is meaningful to them and their experiences. … Continue reading 2.07 – Creating a Poetry Chapbook (English Lesson)

Writing poetry is a personal experience. Each author approaches a subject through their own lens. Even when trying to craft a narrative from an alternate perspective, the author's voice comes through as they craft each line, each stanza, each idea. Building from their knowledge of poetic devices, and different poem types students will step forward … Continue reading 2.06 – A Poem Only You can Write (English Lesson)

Focusing on self-selected poems, allow students the opportunity to search for a poem that speaks to them. More importantly, it provides them with multiple tools for finding poetry. Many people do not read, because they do not have access to things to read. Many people don't read poetry, because they don't know where to find … Continue reading 2.05 – Exploring a Poem you Enjoy (English Lesson)

This lesson moves students from writing poetry, to looking at - and analyzing - poetry. Some teachers start with reading poetry, and then shift to the creation process. I've found it's more helpful to create, and then shift to looking at the works of others. The rationale is that when students see "professional poetry" they … Continue reading 2.04 – Analyzing Poetry: Looking at Four Poems (English Lesson)

There are so many types of poetry. This slide deck, created by Katherine Pearce, introduces students to a number of different types: Free verse Spoken word Haiku Form poems Found poetry Limericks Sonnets Concrete poems Sound poems. By introducing students a number of different types of poetry, you provide them with additional tools in their … Continue reading 2.03 – Introducing Types of Poems: Slide Deck (English Lesson)

Where I'm From poetry is a type of poem that anyone can write, feel confident about, and present with authority. Where I'm from poetry are poems about students, by students, for students - that delve into their own personal experiences and narratives. The poem "Where I'm From" was written by George Ella Lyon, and sets … Continue reading 2.02 – Writing a Where I’m From Poem (English Lesson)

Metaphor, Simile, Alliteration, Hyperbole, Imagery, Onomatopoeia, Symbol, Repetition, Allusion, Personification... These are the ten key literary / poetic devices that students will use in their own writing, and explore in the works of others. This slide deck builds from the existing Literary Devices page, presenting the information in a more fully realized, classroom-ready format. By … Continue reading 2.01 – Top Ten Poetic Devices: Slide Deck (English Lesson)