Appreciating poetry, with an emphasis on African-American Poets

Middle School 1

Literature

Title of Unit: Appreciating poetry, with an Emphasis on African-American Poets.

Time: 3 weeks

Instructor Munson

Materials:

1.                   They’re Poets and they Know it! A collection of Timeless Poems

2.                   An anthology of African-American Poems collected by Maya Angelou

Activities:

1.                   Read the poems silently and out loud.

2.                   Recognize rhymed verse, free verse, limericks, narrative poems, concrete poems, humorous poems, and haiku.

3.                   Compose at least ten poems in a variety of forms.

4.                   Illustrate out “African American Poets” book.

Activities:

1.                   Write a “question-answer” poem like “What is Pink?” of “Who Has Seen the Wind?”

2.                   Write a poem in free verse, like “This is just to say.” Use short lines. Start with – I Have ______________

3.                   Write or find three limericks to share with the class.

4.                   Write a narrative poem, like “Annabelle Lee.” Use the rhythm of “AL.” Write at least six stanzas with four lines.

5.                   Write a “shape” poem.

6.                   Write a humorous poem, like “TeeVee” or “The Vulture.”

7.                   Write four haiku—one for each season of the year.

8.                   Family and Friends – Write a poem abut an adult in your life, like “My Grandmother Is Waiting for Me to Come Home.”

9.                   Sports: Write a poem about your favorite sport or athlete. Use similes, metaphor, and action verbs.

10.               Dreams: Write a “rap” poem about one of your dreams.

Evaluation:

1.                   Reading      30%

2.                   Poems        40%

3.                   Art             30%

100%

Name ________________________________

I have received the syllabus for “Appreciating poetry, with an Emphasis on African-American Poets.”

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