Feeling My Way Through Poetry
Title of Project: Feeling My Way Through Poetry
Schools and Teachers
Cold Spring Harbor High School Teacher: Christine Copley
ENL Proficiency Level | ENL Program | Standards | Technology
Appropriate for all levels | Integrated ENL/ELA | 7R4, 7W4, 7SL1 | Book Creator
Assessments
Students created their own Poetry journals (ebooks) using Book Creator to document their understanding of different forms of poetry, figurative language and imagery. They created different types of poetry: a Haiku, a sonnet, free verse, etc.
Students were frequently given new poems to read, discuss and answer questions about on NEWSELA.com.
Description
This Poetry Unit stemmed from Amanda Gorman’s performance of her poem “The Hill We Climb”. We analyzed the poem as a class and continued analyzing different types of poetry including Slam poetry. We identified common literary devices used in poems. I also used Billy Collin’s (famous contemporary poet) Masterclass sessions throughout the Unit. They were able to learn about the differences between classical and contemporary poetry. They wrote poems in their poetry ebooks throughout the unit.
Content
I can identify a poem, identify literary devices in the poem, discern between classical and contemporary poetry, and write different types of poems and recite them.
Language
I can rhyme, use language that creates imagery and interpret figurative language.
Technology
I can use Flocabulary, create an ebook using Book Creator.
Procedure
Students were studying poetry in their mainstream ELA classes. Some had to write different types of poetry depending on their grade level.
Poetry was introduced by watching the Presidential Inauguration. Students listened to and read Amanda Gorman’s The Hill We Climb. Analyzed the imagery and discussed meaning.
Looked at classical poetry, rhyming schemes, contemporary poetry, prose, slam poetry, and explored different types of poems. Discussed meaning.
Students watched lessons from Billy Collins Master Class for in- depth reading and writing poetry.
Students read poems from various poets on NEWSELA.com and answered comprehension questions.
Students used Book Creator to create Poetry Journals.
Students listened to, read, wrote, recited and discussed poetry on a daily basis.
Reflection
This all happened jumping from a unit concentrating on the US election. The unit culminated when we all watched Biden’s inauguration and watched Amanda Gorman perform her poem “The Hill We Climb.” We explored and discussed the poem and I thought it was a perfect opportunity to delve into the world of poetry. I also wanted the students to have a safe way to explore their emotions, since it’s been a tough year on all of them. Many of my high school students chose to go remote this year. I felt I needed some help in inspiring my students to learn about and appreciate poetry, since most of them said they didn’t quite understand it, so that’s when I discovered Billy Collins master class. The instructor was inspiring. I used snippets of different lessons to teach different aspects of poetry, which was very helpful. The students were really engaged and became passionate about writing poetry. We ended the unit on a good note. The students felt more confident when reading, analyzing, discussing and writing different types of poetry.