[This is an abbreviated version of my five-day lesson plan for this residency. This program can be adapted to different age groups and various lengths — from a one-hour overview to a full week residency — to meet your curriculum and budget needs. See Programs & Services for more information.]

 

 

 

You’re a Poet, and You Know It

Five-day lesson plan outline

 

During this residency, each student will learn the fundamentals of poetry — metaphor, imagery, rhyme, meter, musical language, etc. They will also spend significant time learning to revise their poems.

 

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Day 1

· Metaphor and imagery.

· Where do ideas come from?

· Start an idea journal for the week.

· Class activities to generate ideas.

· Homework: Write a draft of a poem from one of the exercises. Feel free to write additional poems any day, on any subject.

 

Day 2

· Share homework poems.

· Introduction to revision.

· Revise poems, share revised versions.

· List poems, address poems.

· Homework: Revise Day 1 poem. Write a draft of a new poem.

 

Day 3

· Share new and/or revised poems.

· More revision techniques.

· Rhyme, meter, musical language.

· Homework: Revise Day 2 poem. Write a draft of a poem from class exercises.

· Additional assignment: Bring a second copy of whichever poem you’ve had the most trouble getting right (Day 1, 2, or 3), to turn in for feedback and suggestions.

 

Day 4

· Share new and/or revised poems.

· More on revision.

· Group-created exercises.

· Homework: Write a new poem from the assignment created by the class.

· Additional assignment: Choose your favorite poem of the week to read aloud. Bring a costume or wardrobe accessory so you can dress the part of a poet.

 

Day 5

· Student poets perform their best creations. Applause, applause!