You're a Poet
and Don't Even Know It
Introduction
| Supplies | Task | Activities
| Process
| Evaluation
| Conclusion |
Resources
Introduction
Over the centuries, poetry has been the chosen creative form of expression
for people. Unfortunately, many people think that poetry must rhyme. NOT TRUE!
Poetry comes in many forms AND can even be fun. Whether you listen to Toby Keith,
Eminem or the Red Hot Chili Peppers, your favorite song is a form of poetry.
Poetry is a heightened literary expression cast in lines, rather
than sentences, in which language is used in a concentrated blend of sound,
meaning and imagery to create an emotional response. It can be funny, sad, long,
short, rhymed or unrhymed. We call this the purpose, mood and
form of the poem. Poetry can be based on fantasy, your real life or any
important event. This is called the theme of poetry. You will use purpose,
form, mood and theme in the activities that follow.
Supplies You Will Need
- Folder/Three-Ring Binder: Something to serve as cover, both front and back.
Must be able to hold numerous pages.
- Paper: No lined paper. Typing paper or construction paper will work.
- Markers/Crayons/Colored Pens or Pencils: Use these to illustrate your portfolio
pages.
- Computer: The use of a computer and printer to complete your portfolio
is optional. We will structure many computer-related class assignments around
the portfolio and use the computer lab to research poems and poets; however,
the way in which you decide to complete the portfolio is your choice.
Task
Your task will be to explore and research various types of poetry and what
makes up poetry. With a group, you will read various poems, learn about poetry
forms, and give your opinion on what the poet was trying to express by writing
the poem.
Once you have learned about poetry, you will be developing your own poetry
for classroom publication.
Activities
You will create a class poetry book and use a multimedia program, such as PowerPoint
or HyperStudio, to showcase your class poetry book.
Process
In a group, you will go through the following tasks and learn about poetry.
Although you are working as a team, you each are required to develop your own
poetry folder.
Poetry Terms, Terms and More Terms
- Visit the Glossary
of Poetic Terms to find the definition to the vocabulary
words. Write each definition and the sample if given. Put your work in
your poetry folder.
- There are many famous poets and some not-so-famous.
Regardless, these folks help make our world interesting in their own way.
Visit the Web sites on the page and find five
poems you enjoy. Copy those poems down and add them to your poetry folder
for later use. Also include any information about the author. Then research
one of the topics and make an idea web. Add the poems and idea map to your
poetry folder.
- Now that you have some poetry to work with, let's get started. The theme
of the poem tells what the whole poem is about. All the words, descriptions,
figurative language, detail sentences and scenes are all small parts that
add to the reader's understanding of what you feel about the theme. Explore
what a theme is. When finished, add your idea map
to your poetry folder.
- Every poem has a purpose. Whether to entertain, get something off your chest,
or change someone's mind. Find out what your idea map's purpose
is and add that to your map that you have in your poetry folder.
- To create a mood in poetry, the writer must rely on his use of words and
phrases to "paint the right scene." See if you can determine the
mood for the poem and then add what type of mood your
idea map has.
- No poem would be complete without some type of form. The form can be the
physical shape of the poem, the number of syllables and more. Read about a
poem's form.
- Figurative language is a tool that an author uses to help the reader visualize
what is happening in a story or poem. Some common types of figurative language
are: simile, metaphor,
alliteration, onomatopoeia,
personification, idiom,
puns, hyperbole and imagery.
After completing each aspect, add it to your poetry folder.
Poetry Forms
- You should have written the definition of free
verse in the previous step. Now complete the Free Verse Homework and put
it in your poetry folder.
- If you have not already done so, write the definition
of a limerick in your vocabulary words worksheet. View the sample
limericks. Next, print the templates
for limericks. Complete the templates and then write a limerick of your own.
Put your work in your poetry folder.
- View the sample
haiku. Now go to the haiku poetry, read the information
and complete the haiku homework. Place your work in your poetry folder.
- Let's have fun with couplets.
Follow the directions for the couplet homework.
When finished, add your couplets or terse verses to your poetry folder.
- Print the templates for a diamante.
Use the template to create two diamente poems of your own according to the
Diamante Homework section. Add your work to your poetry folder.
- View the sample
cinquain poems. Print the template for a cinquain.
Use the template to create two cinquain poems of your own according to the
Cinquain Homework instructions. Add your work to your poetry folder.
- Now it's time for some fun again--not like
you're not having fun already. You should have already entered in the
definition of an acrostsic on your vocabulary sheet. If not, SHAME ON YOU!
Okay, do it now then. Follow the directions for the acrostic
homework. When finished, add your acrostic to your poetry folder.
- We can't study poetry without studying quatrains
a very popular form of poetry. Famous poets like William Blake and T. S. Eliot
used quatrains. Once you've got the idea, add your quatrain to your poetry
folder.
Your Turn
- Wasn't that fun! Now, let's roll up our sleeves and work on our own creative
juices. First, let's review the pieces of a poem.
- Okay, you should have that down now. Start your juices going by visiting
and completing poetry art. Don't forget
to add this stuff to your poetry folder also.
- GREAT! Now get started with your own stuff! Create five original poems that
include illustrations. At the bottom of each poem, include the form type.
Evaluation
Your final poetry folder will be evaluated by the rubric.
Conclusion
Once your folder is in final publication form, it will be handed in.
Resources
Credit: Mrs. Hamilton, Kennesaw State University
Last updated December 30,
2004