Be A Poet A Lesson Plan that Connects Trina Harris April 5, 2008 and Show It

Workplace Needs Employers seek: Proficient writers Skillful presenters. Survey results indicate poor communication skills among new hires (Dillon, 2006). Employers seek: Proficient writers Skillful presenters. Survey results indicate poor communication skills among new hires (Dillon, 2006).

School Needs Students need: Engaging writing assignments Effective public speaking practice. Educators need: Integrated technology practices Intact standard course of study. Students need: Engaging writing assignments Effective public speaking practice. Educators need: Integrated technology practices Intact standard course of study.

Let’s see how a Language Arts teacher can address these business and school needs.

Instructional Connection The Arts Technology Language Arts Poetry writing Poetry reading Internet research Software for presentations

Introduce the Lesson Read poetry excerpt that includes imagery/sound Give slide show design instructions Provide a software “tips” guide Read poetry excerpt that includes imagery/sound Give slide show design instructions Provide a software “tips” guide

Explain Objectives Lesson ActivityObjective Research poetry techniques for student poem using the Internet Explain poetry technique usage in poetry Write original student poem Analyze imagery and sound in poetry Develop slide show using presentation software Demonstrate acceptable presentation skills

Share Materials Internet access for poetry technique research Click for more Help sheet with poetry prompts. Click for more Computers with slideshow software Example: Microsoft® PowerPoint® Projector and screen or SmartBoard for slide show presentation Internet access for poetry technique research Click for more Help sheet with poetry prompts. Click for more Computers with slideshow software Example: Microsoft® PowerPoint® Projector and screen or SmartBoard for slide show presentation

Integrate Technology Internet research Find poetry technique examples to facilitate student poetry development Presentation software Student poem slide show Clip art and sound effect source Internet downloads Other images and sounds with teacher permission only Internet research Find poetry technique examples to facilitate student poetry development Presentation software Student poem slide show Clip art and sound effect source Internet downloads Other images and sounds with teacher permission only

Let’s examine the benefits students will gain from the planned classroom activities.

Supporting Activity Student group collaboration: Provides support for student presenter Gives advice and constructive criticism Assists with questions and technology issues. Student group collaboration: Provides support for student presenter Gives advice and constructive criticism Assists with questions and technology issues.

Culminating Activity Students Become Teachers Students apply what they learn during their individual poetry studies. Students explain poetry techniques to others. Students provide assistance to one another. Students Become Teachers Students apply what they learn during their individual poetry studies. Students explain poetry techniques to others. Students provide assistance to one another.

Student Slide Sample Swish…went the ball. Shouts were heard by all! “Swish” is an onomatopoeia used in this rhyme section of my poem. Listen!

Alternate Activity For advanced technology students: Develop a poetry video Use video software like Windows Movie Maker For advanced technology students: Develop a poetry video Use video software like Windows Movie Maker LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!

Video Explanation Click the camera to watch an instructional video to get more ideas about developing student poetry movies (TeacherTube, 2007). Adjust your volume to listen!

Here’s a suggestion for implementing the “Be a Poet and Show It” poetry workshop in your classroom.

Implementation Plan Day 1 Introduce poetry workshop State problem Distribute task list Develop student poems using prompts Develop poetry slideshows with imagery and sound Show Time! Subsequent classes used for student poetry presentations Day 2 & Day 3

Assessment Slide Show Design Assessment Slide Content Graphics and sound Font Public Speaking Skills Assessment Poetry Technique Content Body language Speech Slide Show Design Assessment Slide Content Graphics and sound Font Public Speaking Skills Assessment Poetry Technique Content Body language Speech

To summarize…

In Summary Effective arts enrichment activity Intact Language Arts curriculum Self-expressive creative writing Necessary public speaking practice Collaborative student efforts Effective arts enrichment activity Intact Language Arts curriculum Self-expressive creative writing Necessary public speaking practice Collaborative student efforts

In Summary "By immersing themselves in powerful language and ideas, the students will develop their ability to speak well, especially in public.“ Dana Gioia Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts and respected poet (Manzo, 2005, para. 3) "By immersing themselves in powerful language and ideas, the students will develop their ability to speak well, especially in public.“ Dana Gioia Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts and respected poet (Manzo, 2005, para. 3)

References Dillon, N. (2006, March). Skills for a new century. American School Board Journal, 193(3), Retrieved May 10, 2007, from EBSCOhost database. Manzo, K. K. (2005, December 7). Students’ recitations could earn them big bucks in new poetry contest. Education Week, 25(14), 18. Retrieved January 16, 2007, from EBSCOhost database. TeacherTube. (2007, July 4). Poetry and Multimedia. Retrieved April 3, 2008, from c e4 Dillon, N. (2006, March). Skills for a new century. American School Board Journal, 193(3), Retrieved May 10, 2007, from EBSCOhost database. Manzo, K. K. (2005, December 7). Students’ recitations could earn them big bucks in new poetry contest. Education Week, 25(14), 18. Retrieved January 16, 2007, from EBSCOhost database. TeacherTube. (2007, July 4). Poetry and Multimedia. Retrieved April 3, 2008, from c e4

Poetry Techniques Some commonly known poetry techniques that teachers can expect students to use include the following: Alliteration – Three or more words in a line have the same beginning sound Assonance – Three or more words in a line have the same consonant sound Haiku – Three lines total with syllables. A haiku relates to nature. (Japanese) Hyperbole – An exaggeration Metaphor – Word or phrase with different meaning Onomatopoeia – Word that imitates a sound Personification – Word or phrase that gives human qualities to things not human. Rhyming – Words or phrases that sound alike. Simile – Phrase that compares things using “like” or “as”. Tanka – Five lines total with syllables. A tanka relates to mood with strong images and similes or metaphors. (Japanese) Some commonly known poetry techniques that teachers can expect students to use include the following: Alliteration – Three or more words in a line have the same beginning sound Assonance – Three or more words in a line have the same consonant sound Haiku – Three lines total with syllables. A haiku relates to nature. (Japanese) Hyperbole – An exaggeration Metaphor – Word or phrase with different meaning Onomatopoeia – Word that imitates a sound Personification – Word or phrase that gives human qualities to things not human. Rhyming – Words or phrases that sound alike. Simile – Phrase that compares things using “like” or “as”. Tanka – Five lines total with syllables. A tanka relates to mood with strong images and similes or metaphors. (Japanese)

Poetry Prompts To facilitate the development of each student’s individual poem, poetry prompts can be shared with the class as a hand-out in order to stimulate creative thought. According to student poetry workshop coordinator, Phillip Shabazz (personal communication, January 22, 2007), some sample poetry prompts that work well with students include the following: 1. Write a praise poem (ode) about someone you love or admire. 2. Write a descriptive poem about yourself using rap or rhyme techniques. 3. Write a poem about nature. (Great for a Japanese haiku!) 4. Write a poem about your favorite sport. 5. Write a memory poem about your earliest memory or any significant memory. 6. Write a question poem that asks questions about current events. 7. Write an acrostic poem using your name, favorite sport, or your best friend’s name. To facilitate the development of each student’s individual poem, poetry prompts can be shared with the class as a hand-out in order to stimulate creative thought. According to student poetry workshop coordinator, Phillip Shabazz (personal communication, January 22, 2007), some sample poetry prompts that work well with students include the following: 1. Write a praise poem (ode) about someone you love or admire. 2. Write a descriptive poem about yourself using rap or rhyme techniques. 3. Write a poem about nature. (Great for a Japanese haiku!) 4. Write a poem about your favorite sport. 5. Write a memory poem about your earliest memory or any significant memory. 6. Write a question poem that asks questions about current events. 7. Write an acrostic poem using your name, favorite sport, or your best friend’s name.