1. The Longest Poem Ever Written
The longest poem ever written by one person is the Shah Namah or “Book of Kings” and is the complete history of Persia. It was 2,084 pages long and was 60,000 verses! It was written by a man named Firdausi and it took him 35 years to write.
The longest poem written in English is in the book My Blah Story by Nigel Tomm and is 728 pages long.

2. Membership Grid Warm-up
Today’s question:
Who is your hero, or person you look up to most?
Why are they your hero?
What’s the coolest thing they’ve ever done?
Remember, only one person should be speaking at a time in each group. Everyone else should be listening and writing down what your group member is saying.

3. The Poetic “Voice”

4. What is “voice” in poetry?
“Voice” is best thought of as a writer expressing their personality through poetry.
It contains feelings and emotions and brings the topic of the poem to life.
Some things to consider:
How does it sound when you read it?
How does it make you feel?

5. What is “Voice” in poetry?
Voice is also the words that a poet chooses when writing a poem.
It is also how each line of the poem is constructed, and how the writer chooses to use punctuation.
Each writer (including you) has their own voice when writing.

6. For example:
A mountain is a landform that stretches above the surrounding land in a limited area usually in the form of a peak. A mountain is generally steeper than a hill. The adjective montane is used to describe mountainous areas and things associated with them., and the study of mountains is known as Orology.

7. Green Mountain by Li Po You ask me why I live on Green Mountain
I smile in silence with a quiet mind
Peach petals blow on mountain streams
To earths and skies beyond Humankind.

8. Group Discussion Read the two poems quietly by yourself.
After everyone in your group has finished reading the poems, pick one poem to start with and have each member of the group read it aloud. After everyone has read it once, discuss and answer as a group:
Did the voice of the poem change as each student read it? Why or why not?
After answering the questions, repeat the procedure with the other poem.
Answer questions on one piece of paper for the whole group.

9. Langston Hughes reading I, Too
YouTube - I, Too

10. Shel Silverstein reading Ickle Me, Tickle Me, Pickle Me, too
ShelSilverstein.com - the Official Site for Kids - Choose Speed

11. Journal Prompts: What is meant by “voice” in poetry?
How was listening to the poet read their poem different than listening to your classmates read it?
What worked well in your group today? What didn’t?
Do you have any questions for me? (10 min)