Poetry

Poetry

Today, we being a unit of reading and writing poetry, which we will be doing until Spring Break. But first, book talks!Book Talks!

5th: Nicole, HaleyPoem talk: Miss Van Ryn

Introduction to PoetryBilly CollinsI ask them to take a poemand hold it up to the lightlike a color slide

or press an ear against its hive.

I say drop a mouse into a poemAnd watch him probe his way out,

or walk inside the poem's roomand feel the walls for a light switch.

I want them to waterskiacross the surface of a poemwaving at the author's name on the shore.

But all they want to doIs tie the poem to a chair with ropeAnd torture a confession out of it.

They begin beating it with a hoseTo find out what it really means.

Experience poetry not dissect it. Not forcing a meaning out of every poem we work with. See the beauty and purpose of poetry as an art form instead of analyzing it until you hate it. Its about experimenting, taking risks, and naturally working with poetry not forcing anything. It could be different for every person.

What Is Poetry?In your writers notebooks:What is poetry? Rap? Song?What makes poetry different?What kinds of poems have you read?What do you like? Dislike?Whats the point? New notebooks? Need more space? Write for about 5 minutes and then share with the class. End with What is the point of poetry? Why is it important? Why does it seem to not be as popular today? We will be exploring these questions as we write and each one of you will discover your own answers by the end of the unit. We will revisit these questions later in the unit. Show DPS clip.1989. Set at the conservative and aristocratic Welton Academy in Vermont in 1959,[2] it tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry. He uses unconventional methods to teach poetry, and the administration resists him. So, the boys form a Dead Poets Society in order to read poetry in secret. O Me! O Life!By Walt Whitman Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities filld with the foolish,Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renewd,Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,The question, O me! so sad, recurringWhat good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer.That YOU are herethat life exists and identity,That the powerful play goes on, and YOU may contribute a verse.

Walt Whitman (1819-1892) is influencing our economy today - thats pretty cool. Poetry passes through time and the same ideas are relevant today. How does this commercial fit in with the poem? Why use this DPS clip in the commercial? How does poetry and this clip help advertise for ipad airs? So.what will your verse be? Poetry is one way to contribute your verse and help you decide what your verse will be. Reading poetry helps you discover others and their perspectives and also express your own perspective. Writing poetry helps you express your own beliefs and values. We read and write as part of being human.

poeTRYYou will be contributing several verses during this unit (after it has been modeled and explained to you) and we will create a class book at the end with a poem from each of you - each one of you will be contributing a verse, a poem that you are proud of and speaks to you as a person and as a writer. Lets try it! We are going to contribute our own verse. Poetry is about experimenting and taking risks. Not every poem will be a masterpiece. It takes practice! Thats why we will be writing several different poems during this unit. You will be able to try different types of poems and see what youre good at and then be able to edit and revise your best poems to perform for the class. You will practice reading to others and writing so that you feel comfortable and confident in presenting a piece of writing that represents your verse. Now, in order to write poetry, you need to read poetry and become more familiar with it. Poetry BooksRead through several poems in the books that are around your desk. Pick 4 lines of poetry to read to the class that stand out to you. (interesting, thought-provoking, confusing, funny, exciting, etc)As a class:Title and authorWhy did you pick these 4 lines?Unit explanation - Have the books out. The purpose of this is to get you comfortable with reading poetry and saying it out loud in front of your classmates. Its also going to help you appreciate the element of poetry and recognize what makes poetry different. After each person reads out loud, say that tomorrow we will be starting with writing poetry. I will have an example and model how to write the type of poem and we will start writing! Todays AgendaChoice Reading Books Talks/Poem Talk Poetry Read Aloud Is Poetry Dead article Where Im From poem Time to Write! Have WA post article pulled up.

Book Talks!5th hour: Kaylee and Michael6th hour: MadiPoem Talk: Miss Van Ryn

Is Poetry Dead?All the things that poetry used to do, other things do much better.

In your writers notebooks: Do you agree or disagree? Why? Give examples.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2013/01/22/is-poetry-dead/Start with Still I thinkWill put the link on the website to access.

poeTRYFocus: Where Im From http://teacher.scholastic.com/writeit/PDF/wright.pdfhttp://nuhspoetry.blogspot.com/2009/09/where-im-from-poems.html

Book Talks!5th: Levi6th: Collin, ShelbiePoem Talk: Miss Van Ryn

poeTRYFocus: Where Im From http://teacher.scholastic.com/writeit/PDF/wright.pdfhttp://nuhspoetry.blogspot.com/2009/09/where-im-from-poems.html

Poetry is a mirror which makes beautiful that which is distorted.

- Percy Byron Shelley (19th Century British Poet)Todays AgendaBook Talk and Poem TalkShare Where Im From PoemsChoice Reading (check poems)https://histories-humanities.tcd.ie/assets/pdf/ssp/Literature-Readings/reading%20Lit%20Dublin%20MacNeice.pdf Book Talks!5th: Lyz6th: AustinPoem Talk: Miss Van Ryn

Poem Talk: Dublin by Louis MacNeice

Note Georgian architecture, bricks, well-preserved history, elegance, river, colors of buildings, rain

Where Im FromShare at least 4 lines of your poem(You may share more, even the whole thing!)

Excuses are monuments of nothingness. They build bridges to nowhere. Those who use these tools of incompetence, seldom become anything but nothing at all. - Author unknown Todays AgendaBook Talk and Poem TalkChoice ReadingExcuses!In your writers notebooksWhy do you use excuses? In what type of situations? To get out of what? What kinds of excuses do you use? Do they work? Why or why not?Write for a few minutes, then talk about with partners, and then talk about as a class. Excuses Example PoemI Can't Write a Poem Forget it.You must be kidding.I'm still half asleep.My eyes keep closing.My brain isn't working.I don't have a pencil.I don't have any paper.My desk is wobbly.I don't know what to write about.And besides, I don't even know how to write a poem.I've got a headache. I need to see the nurse.Time's up? Uh oh!All I have is a dumb list of excuses.You like it? Really? No kidding.Thanks a lot. Would you like to see another one?-Bruce Lansky

http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/cantwrite.htm - model after thishttp://www.poetry4kids.com/poem-349.html#.Uybr2hDYE0cExcuses, Excuses! With your groups:Come up with one question, 8 creative excuses, and an ending sentence. This will make a 10 line poem, 2 lines for each person.Question: Why didnt you.? How come you didnt.? Why cant you.? Why wont you.?Excuses: Because..Can be a series of related excuses or 8 completely different excusesAll group members should write down the WHOLE poem in their writers notebooks. The whole group will share with the class6 groups of 5 8 excuses that build on one another or 8 different excuses for different people or 4 sets of 2 (same person has same type of excuses). Poem OutlineThis outline is similar to that of the poem we just read, but it is slightly different in order to accommodate your groups.

Line 1: Question (Person 1)Line 2: Excuses (Person 2)Line 3: Excuse (Person 3)Line 4: Excuse (Person 4)Line 5: Excuse (Person 5)Line 6: Same as line 2Line 7: Same as line 3Line 8: Same as line 4Line 9: Same as line 6Line 10: Closing remark response, or another question (Person 1) Todays AgendaBook Talk and Poem TalkReview of YesterdayChoice ReadingShare Excuses PoemsBook Talks!5th: Kathryn, Taliah6th: DomPoem Talk: Miss Van Ryn

[in Just-]By E. E. Cummings

in Just- spring when the world is mud- luscious the little lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come running from marbles and piracies and it's spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer old balloonman whistles far and wee and bettyandisbel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it's spring and

the

goat-footed

balloonMan whistles far and wee In your writers notebooksFold over the page of your Excuses poem. This should be after your response to the questions about excuses.- If you dont have a poem written down, please explain why. 2. Write down what you did in class yesterday. 3. Who is in your group and how did you go about writing the poem? Explain your process. 4. Bring your writers notebooks to me when you are done and begin choice reading.

Excuses Poem ShareWith your group, stand in a line in front of class and share your poem, each person reciting your designated lines.

Todays AgendaBook Talk and Poem TalkChoice ReadingHow to Live PoemPoetry also shows us how we should live. It communicates the authors values and beliefs about life. Book Talks!5th:6th: Poem Talk: Miss Van Ryn

http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140224234557-269697626-best-advice-this-poem-tells-you-everything-you-need-to-liveTurn on projector for poems. Read original and Penny Kittles.

How To Live

http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jobs_how_to_live_before_you_die

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc

How to LiveStructure your poem as commands:- Eat this, Do this, Dont do that, Travel here, etc. 1 full page in writers notebooksBe thinking of: How do you live? How do you want to live? How would you advise a young child to live his or her life?Video about how to live. Read poem. Write my ownTips for WritingIn order to live the best possible life..Eat/drinkSayTravel toThinkUse free timeDress/LookStudyActJobFeelFamilyWhere to liveFriendsSpend moneyBe Specific! Play music?Todays AgendaBook Talk and Poem TalkHow to Live Poem ShareMetaphorsColor PoemsBook Talks!5th:6th:Poem Talk: Miss Van Ryn

How to Live Poem ShareIn partners.1. Share your poems with each other the whole poem! 2. Once you have read the whole thing, decide what 8 lines to read for the class (about half of your poem). 3. Share with the class! Read your partners poem. What is a metaphor? Metaphor: a comparison between 2 unlike things - often uses is- asserts they are the same as each other in order to show their similarity. - Example: All the worlds a stage (Shakespeare)- What does this really mean?- Example: Drowning in a sea of grief- What does this mean? This week, we will be focusing on different elements of poetry as we write our poems. The first element we will be discussing and using in our poems is metaphor. Talk about what they think a metaphor is in their same partner groups. Then have group share and then put definitions on the screen. Other examples: broken heart, feeling blue, time is a thief. Not literal but figurative in order to allow more description without actually using a lot of words.What is a simile?Simile: a comparison between 2 unlike things that uses like or as.- Not as strong as a metaphor because doesnt assert that one thing is another thing, but instead shows the relative similarity. - Examples: strong as an ox, easy as pie, sleep like a baby, etc.

WHY use metaphors and similes???Have them discuss in partners again and try to come up with an example. Explain that metaphors and similes allow more description with fewer words. They are figurative not literal. Can they think of any more metaphors or similes? Metaphors and Similes in Pop CultureCan you think of any other metaphors and similes in songs?

Can you think of any other metaphors and similes in commercials? Todays AgendaBook Talk and Poem TalkReview Metaphors and SimilesColor Poems

5th hour check poems during choice reading. Confer with 6th hour during choice reading. Book Talks!5th: Haneen6th: MikePoem Talk: Miss Van Ryn

Tuesday, March 25Review: Metaphors & SimilesWhat is a metaphor? Example?

What is a simile? Example?

Why are they useful?Left side: first questionMiddle: second questionRight side: Last questionKid Metaphors Video Clip

In your writers notebooks.

How are metaphors used in thisclip? What is their purpose?

(Hint: think about our discussion yesterday!)

Brian Palermo uses metaphors to get kids advice on happenings in the news. How do you see metaphors used in this clip? He uses metaphors to make the situations more understandable for the kids (they dont know the situations) and the metaphors make the situations more understandable for us, the viewers. The metaphors also imply other information that is not directly stated. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdnUyq485rQ Color PoemsWrite a poem in which you create a metaphor for a color:- Gray is gloom (noun + is + noun)Then support the metaphor with similes:- like a cloudy day- like wet cement- as dead as a blank computer screenInstead of describing emotions, objects, ideas, etc. in terms of color (blue, green with envy), we are doing the opposite. Using them to describe color in the form of a metaphor. Note how similes relate to metaphor. Color PoemsYellow is SunshineLike a big, warm hugLike a mothers loveAs bright as lightning

Orange is energy like a ball of fire like a citrus fruit as wild as a tiger

Note how the similes relate to the metaphor. Begins with a metaphor and then 3 related similes after it that unify the stanza. Guidelines and TipsYour poem should be 12 lines: 3 stanzas of 4 linesYou may pick any color you want!Make sure the first line of each stanza is a metaphor and the following 3 lines are similes (like as) that relate to your metaphor.- List a bunch of ideas first. Then group them together.Think about: objects, food, emotions, ideas, beliefs, countries, seasons, weather, teams, music, etc. Think of the 5 senses: taste, touch, hear, smell, and see2 bonus points if you wear your color tomorrow when you share your poem. Make it obvious!If stuck, change an adjective to a noun. Boring boredom, happy happiness. Do an example with them. What do you think of when you think of red? Roses, love, passion, fire, rage, energy, apples, strawberries, lobster, nail polish, statement, warning, juice, stop signRed is passion, like a soft rose, like a lovers quarrel, asRed is a warning, like a loud siren, as clear as a stop sign. Red is energy, like a raging fire, as fresh as a strawberryChoiceReading

Todays AgendaBook Talk and Poem TalkChoice ReadingQuiet WritingShare Color PoemsPerspective: Country Poems

Wednesday, March 26Book Talks!5th: Marisa6th: TylerPoem Talk: Miss Van RynI Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown, The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the dayat night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

Note the simile in the quote!10 minutes of choice reading. Then 5 minutes of reflecting (choice writing) on your choice reading book. You may write about anything related to your book! You can write a poem if you want. Color Poem SharePlease read 2 stanzas (8 lines) of your color poem to the class. You may stand by your seat or stand in front of the class. Perspective

What do you see? Just as these pictures allow us to see different view of NYC, so poetry also allows us to see different perspectives. And we dont even have to move or go anywhere! Video Clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6vCq6YcLeU Poetry allows us to examine and appreciate other perspectives. Poetry allows us to see the world through others perspectives, and it is important to put things in perspective and consider the view of the world through others eyes, both people you know and people youve never even met. Look back at the question, Whats the point? that you answered at the beginning of the unit. How does this clip relate to your answers? What can you add or change?

The Written WorldDuring the 2012 London Olympics, the Scottish Poetry Library collaborated with BBC radio to broadcast a poem from every country.

Read through your poem at least twice with your partner(s). Come up with 2 new insights or pieces of information you didnt know before using the guided questions.

Share: Title of your poem, country its from, and 2 new insights. Both partners need to talk!

Poetry allows us to be exposed to and understand various perspectives of other people, places, etc. It reminds us that, while our views and beliefs are important, we must always respect others beliefs and values. During the 2012 Olympics, the Scottish Poetry Library collected a poem from each country and broadcasted these on BBC radio. Put them in groups of 2 or 3 and hand out a different country poem to each group. Handouts include the poem and questions to guide interpretation. Give them about 7 minutes to read through the poem and come up with 2 pieces of information. We will be sharing with the class! This type of poetry is essential for us as citizens of the world. Not only can we learn about other countries and cultures, but poetry also allows us to empathize with and care for other people different from us. It helps us understand them better, which unites us. Todays AgendaBook Talk and Poem TalkShare Country PoemsChoice ReadingQuiet WritingShare

Thursday, March 27Share country poem insights today if dont finish or dont have time on Wednesday. Book Talks!5th: Logan, Bri6th: KarriePoem Talk: Miss Van Ryn

Dreams by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreamsFor if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly.Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow. Country Poem ShareShare 1 new fact or insight about the countryWrite group members names on the paper and turn it in to me. For sake of time, the people from the group who have the sheet of paper will share one thing they learned about the country. Put group members name a

Todays AgendaBook Talk and Poem TalkDictionPerspective Poems

Thursday, March 27Share country poem insights today if dont finish or dont have time on Wednesday. Book Talks!5th: Logan, Belle, Sam6th: JacobPoem Talk: Miss Van Ryn

I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions.Whatever I see, I swallow immediately.Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislikeI am not cruel, only truthful The eye of a little god, four-cornered.Most of the time I meditate on the opposite wall.It is pink, with speckles. I have looked at it so longI think it is a part of my heart. But it flickers.Faces and darkness separate us over and over.Mirror by Sylvia PlathWhat is Diction?Diction: Word choice

Why is Diction important?- vivid descriptions: makes it more real for readersEx. The sunset filled the entire sky with the deep color of rubies, setting the clouds ablaze. - sets the tone: formal or informal? Depends on audience and situation- helps get rid of ambiguity and confusionEx. Good friend: nice, helpful, friendly, fun, cool, supportive?- elicits certain responses from readers- plump vs. obese, lady vs. woman, intelligent vs. smartWe talked about and used metaphors and similes. The next element we will be working with is diction, or word choice, and you will be focusing on this in your next poem. Types of diction: slang, colloquialisms, jargon. Texting vs. writing a paper. Adjust word choice based on the purpose. Whats the Difference?Sleep: Doze Nap Slumber

Throw: Toss Lob Hurl

Laugh: Giggle Snicker Chuckle

Doze, nap, and slumber all imply different degrees of sleep. Sleep is not a strong verb or noun. These words, though, are more specific. Doze is a short, nap is a little longer, and a slumber is a very long, deep sleep. Give them time to think about second one and then ask. Have them talk about the third one with the people around them and then go over it.

What color is this? Green.

Now what color is it? What shade of green? Get together in partners and describe each shade in 1-2 words. Word choice is essential for distinguishing between the different shades of green. Word choice is important in your writing, especially in these perspective poems. Since youre writing a poem from the perspective of an object word choice and descriptions are really important. Diction and PerspectiveWhen writing a perspective poem, diction is important to fully develop the perspective and clarify it to your readers.

Be clear. Be specific. Be intentional. When working with your country poems, there were specific words and phrases that helped you come up with your new information. This is diction!Television by Todd Alcott

Play video. The Keyboard's Tale

Hey You!Yeah, You!The one who beats me dailyYou think this is an easy life?I never get to move from my spot on the deskYour fingers punch me over 140 times a minuteYour daughter likes to try to rip off my keys The only social life I get is talking to a computer and being punchedAnd when the day comes that I shall pass I'll immediately be replaced

Mirror, Mirror on the WallDays always pass,

By, by, by

I remain here,

I see your secrets.

I hear you muttering,

As I morph into you.

Listen to you complain.

When you leave, I turn,

Into myself again.

Go to sleep, wake up, repeat.

Go to sleep, wake up, repeat.

Go to sleep, wake up, repeat.

Over and over and over again.

Until I am smashed.

By the angry guy.

Who breaks the girl.

Who complained.

Perspective PoemsTitle should be your object. Example: Apple, TV Remote, etc. Can be a series of I statements, or you can write it like the poem is talking to the reader (like the examples)1 full pageFocus on diction! Underline 3 powerful words. Optional Challenge: Write it in the shape of your object!

BE CLEAR. BE SPECIFIC. BE INTENTIONAL.

Sentences circling around the apple or just written in the shape of it. Words and statements on different buttons on the remote. Words could form the shape or can fill in the shape after youve created the shape. This is not required, but you will get 5 extra credit points, which a lot of you could use. Tips for WritingI think.Im scared of...I feel.I worry about.I know.Im excited for.I wonder..I like.I wish....I dislike..I hear.I say.I taste.My favorite ____ is..I hope.I need.

Todays AgendaBook Talk and Poem TalkShare Perspective PoemsAlliterationRantsMonday, March 31Sharing perspective poems: Have the students not say the title of their poem when they share and then have the class try to guess their object. Book Talks!5th: Anna, Katelyn6th: LindsayPoem Talk: Miss Van Ryn

Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert FrostNature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stayAlliterationWhat is alliteration?Alliteration: Repeated consonant sounds, often close to one another in the text. (Sounds, NOT letters!)Hard vs. Soft soundsExamples: - She sells sea shells by the sea shore- The girl glared at her glimmering reflection in the glass. - Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie. (Romeo & Juliet)- Randy wrote a rhyming rap. Why use alliteration? Organization, Attention, Engagement, Reflection of meaningThink of tongue twisters. The next poetic element we are going to focus on, which will help you write your rants and keep them unified, is alliteration. Rants can easily spin out of control, so this guideline will allow you to keep your rant in check. Alliteration attracts attention, grabs focus of reader. Makes it flow better. Creates rhythm/pattern if used often and a mood (depending on what type of sound harsh, soft; pleasant or not). Makes poem more complex and engaging. Hard sounds: b, k, t, d, ch, g. Soft sounds: l, f, sh, j, s, z. Not just one letter. Can be a combination of 2 or more letters: th, gl, ch, sh, etc. Rants

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77C47XYm_3c pennies and nickleshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV_4EA-wrPc 17 rants in 4 minuteshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBPAJERpn6Q booksLets Complain!Pick a topic you are passionate about: Unleash your thoughts, opinions, ideas, feelings, etc. on the topic - What are you sick of? What are you annoyed with? What frustrates you? What do you dislike and want to change?Write down all the negative things about that topicThink about how you can say it in the most convincing way (remember diction?)Alliteration 3 examples of at least 2 same consonant sounds. Strong ending 1 full pageAlliteration: tongue twistersTodays AgendaBook Talk and Poem TalkShare RantsChoice Reading/WritingSpoken Word Videos

Tuesday, April 1Book Talks!5th: Michael, Kara6th: IsaacPoem Talk: Miss Van Ryn

Michigan poem - http://www.michigannow.org/2012/09/18/the-michigan-poem/ Todays AgendaBook Talk and Poem TalkSpoken Word Poetry VideosEditing and Revising

Wed, April 2Book Talks!5th: Thomas6th: BriannaPoem Talk: Miss Van Ryn

Todays AgendaBook Talk and Poem TalkPoetry Slam!!Thursday, April 3Book Talks!5th: Ethan6th: MarissaPoem Talk: O Sweet Spontaneous by ee cummingsO sweet spontaneous earth how often have the doting fingers of prurient philosophers pinched and poked thee , has the naughty thumb of science prodded thy beauty, how often have religions taken thee upon their scraggy knees squeezing and

buffeting thee that thou mightest conceive gods (but true to the incomparable couch of death thy rhythmic lover thou answerest them only with spring)

Rap is Poetry. Hip hop is culture.