Explorations in Poetry
Introduction
Poetry is a form of
literature that very few people understand. One goal of this PBL is to
de-mystify poetry. Poetry is an art form that emerges from the pure human need to
express oneself using words. It has a way of reaching into our souls and its
use for revitalizing, personal growth and communicating at a deeper level can
be traced back to primitive man. Ancient poems have been found on Sumerian wax
tablets and Egyptian papyrus. The poetic music of a shepherd boy named David
dates back to 1030 BC—these are the very same psalms we use in church. It is of
interest to note that the first hospital in the
Poetry is a
powerful tool in understanding ourselves as well as others; probably because of
its unique use of metaphor, imagery, rhythm and other devices. Great figures
recognize the role of literature, like poetry, in human history. By reading and
reflecting on literature, such as poetry, the reader identifies and empathizes
with the writer. Through poetry we share experiences of life with human beings
throughout time. After all, there is nothing new under the sun.
Driving Question
How does poetry
reflect the times in which it is written?
What Learning Objectives from
Archdiocese of
6.01.07 - Make and support
inferences and form interpretations about main themes and topics (1C)
6.01.15 - Explain how authors and
illustrators use text and art to express their ideas (e.g., points of view,
design hues, metaphor) (1C)
6.02.02 - Describe how literary
elements contribute to the overall impact of a piece of literature (2A)
6.03.14 - Use available
technology (e.g., word processing, desktop publishing, electronic
dictionary/glossary, printing) (3B)
6.03.16 - Write creatively for a
specified purpose and audience (e.g., short story, poetry, song, friendly
letter) (3C)
Students will need
- Text: Write Source 2000 (pp. 221 – 237)
- The use of a computer with Internet access
- A good Catholic bible
- A notebook for journal and poetry writing
- An open mind
Journal Writing
Each
exploration includes a reflection as well as an exercise. The teacher will
explain in class how students will complete these components of the exploration
using modern technology.
What is
Journal Writing? What is the
purpose of writing a journal? What are you trying to achieve? What is all that
writing for anyway? Well, it can be a way of recording your response to the
poet, poem or scripture. I would call that more of a professional journal. It's
about your own unique journey and ever expanding mind.
Examining feelings
Your journal is a place to examine your feelings in great
depth. It can be a place where you address the big questions in life and ponder
the wonders of the universe. Writing a journal can be a place to expand your
mind by going inside and discovering more about yourself.
Letting out feelings
Positive thinking is certainly best, but sometimes it
does help to blow off a little steam. Anger expressed in your journal, hurts no
one and is a wonderful way to release those feelings. It can also be a place
where you examine why you even got angry or frustrated. It can bring you back
to your normal balance and give you a better understanding of how and why you
react to day-to-day life.
Brain storming
Rambling on about things you'd like to do can eventually
lead you to some fantastic ideas. Once you get into the flow and just let the
ideas come forth, the fun begins. Playing with new ideas can be exciting. The
more you do it. The easier it comes.
Problem Solving
A journal is a great place to find solutions for the
problems or questions currently in your life. For instance, if you want to make
more money, or some money, if you've been out of work, your journal is a great
way of exploring ideas and new options. Choose one idea at a time and expand on
each one. You'll find that some turn out to be silly ideas, but some will turn
out to be great ones.
Creative Writing
If you enjoy writing and want to try your hand at article
writing or perhaps even a novel, a journal is a great place to begin. I've had
many stories just come to life on the page, without ever intending to write a
story that particular day. Once the pen is writing or once you're at the
computer and the ideas are flowing, it's easy to receive a thought that
stimulates an idea and then off you go.
So there you are, that is the
purpose of a journal. Writing a journal can be a truly rewarding and enriching
experience. I find journaling inspiring and just a whole lot of creative fun!
What is an "Exercise?"
An “exercise” is
a proposed way of deepening one’s understanding of our relationship with God in
the world with the intention of helping us to discern where Jesus in our life, and
leading us to a deeper personal commitment to follow him.
Exploration #1 |
Exploration #2 |
Exploration #3 |
Exploration #4 |
Exploration #5 |
Exploration #6 |
Exploration #7 |
Exploration #8 |
Exploration #9 |
Exploration #10 |
Saint Francis Of Theme – Each of us is given certain gifts and called to a specific mission in life. Opening Prayer Lord, give us listening hearts. Enlighten our minds to discern your call. Strengthen our bodies to serve you be helping others Biography of Saint Francis of Assisi Journal On: What steps do you need to take in order to
become the person God is calling you to be? Poet’s Words - Canticle of
the Sun God’s Word – Psalm 113 Exercise Pick one or two elements of nature that Francis mentions and journal about the role this element plays in your life and your spiritual journey. |
Your Poem Objective: Develop crispness
in impact or word choice Language Objective: Verbs Reading Objective: Spotting key
verbs in comprehension, verbs as the carriers of ideas Prewriting Activities: 1. Generate a list of verbs that revolve around the school day. (example: walk, open, take, hold, turn, look…) 2. Explain how verbs tell you what happens in a story. Your Poem: Francis' poem
praises God's creation using "things"—your task is to examine the
verbs in this poem and re-"invent" it using only the verbs as
"actions" of God. |
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Saint Teresa of Avila: Seeking God’s Plan Theme – Each of
us is called to be a mystic. Opening Prayer Lord, you call us to separate ourselves from the things of this world, help us to set aside all things which impede our complete surrender to you. Biography of Saint
Teresa of Avila Journal On: Describe some of the “things” in life that
are obstacles to becoming closer to God. Poet’s Words - Lines
Written in Her Breviary God’s Word – Romans 8:28 - 30 Exercise Create a list of your talents and abilities; research community organizations where your skills could be useful and volunteer at least one hour each month. |
Your Poem Objective: To create a
sensory experience with economy of words/mood/texture Language Objective: Selective use of
adjectives, nouns and verbs Reading Objective: Selective details
or setting Prewriting Activities: 1. Describe a recent "religious" experience…describe how you
experience life beyond the day-to-day 2. Emphasize how our senses (sight, hearing, smells…) help us to
process the world around us. Your Poem: Create a poem about your senses and how
they help you interpret and/or understand the world. |
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John Donne: Confronting Our Sinfulness Theme – We are
called to reflect and look below the surface for life’s deeper meaning. Opening Prayer Sometimes life is difficult, we don’t understand why things happen. We don’t understand why God would allow some things to happen. Lord, we struggle because we do not know your plan. We cannot see the “big picture.” Help us to endure troubles patiently and offer our sufferings to the benefit of others. Biography of John Donne Journal On: What is the role music and song play in
your spiritual journey? Poet’s Words - Hymn to God the
Father God’s Word – 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 Exercise Listen to Beethoven’s
Ninth Symphony (or another favorite recording of classical music.) Write a
journal entry on the intricacies and complexities of orchestral and choral
components. |
Your Poem Objective: To deal with one of
the fundamental aspects of poetry—emotion: showing its understanding and also
sharing its feeling Language Objective: Figurative
language Reading Objective: Similes and
metaphors Prewriting Activities: 1. BRAINSTORM: Write down all the emotions your can in two minutes…this
is the length of an average commercial break 2. Emphasize how our senses (sight, hearing, smells…) help us to
process the world around us. Your Poem: Your poem is entitled: "Mysterious
Love." Use figurative language, including metaphors and similes to
express the emotion of love. |
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Gerald Manley Hopkins: Oozing With God’s
Grandeur Theme – All of
creation is overflowing with the goodness of God. Opening Prayer Create in us a clean heart, O God. Renew us a right spirit within us. Biography of Gerald
Manley Hopkins Journal On: Describe how events in your life have
affected times of faith and your times of doubt. Poet’s Words - God’s Grandeur God’s Word – Psalm 95:1 - 8 Exercise Create a list of gratitude that you can prominently display on your bathroom mirror or maybe the refrigerator so that every time you see the list you remember to say a prayer of thanks to God. |
Your Poem Objective: Changing form or
reducing already established ideas to a smaller set of words that retain the
intended meaning Language Objective: Onomatopoeia Reading Objective: Paraphrasing/Sequencing Prewriting Activities: 1. Re-read "God's Grandeur." How does the poet use words to
make images and sounds? 2. List the emotions you find expressed in "God's Grandeur." Your Poem: Focus on the sounds of daily life, use them
to explain in a poem what your life "sounds" like. |
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Emily Dickinson: The New Hermit Theme - They will know we are Christians by our love Opening Prayer Let us set aside
the noise and busy-ness of life and spend time in solitude and silence,
listening to God’s still small voice. Biography of Emily Dickinson Journal On: Describe how
silence and solitude or how noise and busy-ness can have an impact on our prayer
life. Poet’s Words - Triumphant God’s Word – Matthew 13:44 - 46 Exercise Create a hermitage
on your own by spending a day in solitude and silence; journal on this
experience. Closing Prayer We go forth
seeking the pearl of great price. Lord, be with us as we seek your kingdom. |
Your Poem Objective: Capturing
mood/specific aspects Language Objective: Nouns,
adjectives, verbs Reading Objective: Selective
vocabulary/Comprehension compare and contrast Prewriting Activities: 1. Research the stages of life of a butterfly. How do human beings
change over their lifetime? 2. Record specific actions, problems and descriptions of that life
stage you have encountered as an infant, toddler, young child—from birth to
sixth grade. This brainstormed list will give a list of poem ideas. Your Poem: A Quatrain on a
specific action, problem or description of a life stage you brainstormed
above (see p. 232). |
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Francis Thompson: God’s Fugitive Theme – We all struggle with surrender. Opening Prayer Lord, we have
turned away—even run from you. Yet, you did not abandon us. Biography of Francis Thompson Journal On: Think and
journal about those steps in your life that you will need to follow to live
the life you imagine in the future. How do you see God’s constancy or help in
taking those steps? Poet’s Words - Hound of Heaven God’s Word – Luke 18:1 – 8 Exercise Get out those
musical instruments, CD player or mp3 player and sing along with your
favorite hymn of praise to God. Closing Prayer Lord, help me be
persistent in my will to love and to serve you. |
Your Poem Objective: Found Poem or
Acrostic Language Objective: Nouns,
adjectives, verbs, adverbs Reading Objective: Creative Language Prewriting Activities: 1. Think about a time you overheard a conversation or only saw part of
a movie or TV show. How did effect your understanding of what was going on? 2. Flip through a magazine or newspaper, cutting out interesting
phrases and/or words, or skim a book that you are reading for interesting
words or phrases and write them down. Your Poem: The found poem
or acrostic should be a creative organization of words or phrases that are
focused and interesting. |
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Robert Frost: God’s Naturalist Theme – We have to deal with the effects of original and personal sin. Opening Prayer Loving Father, you
show us your loving kindness and goodness through the world that surrounds us
and sustains us. Biography of Robert Frost Journal On: Describe your
roles, goals and accomplishments in life. Write your own eulogy. Poet’s Words - God's Garden God’s Word – Genesis 1:25 – 31a Exercise Take a walk in the
park or nature preserve, pay close attention to how God’s creation engages
your five senses; journal on this experience. Closing Prayer In the way of
virtue, there is no standing still; anyone who does not daily advance loses
ground. To remain at a standstill is impossible; he that gains not loses; he
that ascends not descends. If one does not ascend the ladder, one must
descend; if one does not conquer, one will be conquered.” |
Your Poem Objective: Imagery/mood Language Objective: Descriptive word
choice Reading Objective: Understand and
link the relationship between the subconscious (i.e. inferences in language) Prewriting Activities: 1. Early we wrote about how senses provide data for our perceptions;
create a list of memories related to your senses. This brainstormed list will
give a list of poem ideas. Your Poem: Write a poem
about a recent or memorable family celebration. |
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Sara Teasdale: Living in God’s Love Theme – God’s love is unconditional; live in it! Opening Prayer Lord have there
been times when I have hesitated in showing I love you? Forgive me and help
me to live in your love. Biography of Sara Teasdale Journal On: Describe in
your journal the various ways God’s shows you his love. Poet’s Words - I Would Live
in Your Love God’s Word- Song of Songs 2:10 – 13 Exercise Show God’s love to
others in your words and actions. Show compassion or mercy to someone today. Closing Prayer I will walk in the
love of the Lord! |
Your Poem Objective: Self-expression Language Objective: Nouns,
adjectives, verbs Reading Objective: Selective
vocabulary/Comprehension compare and contrast Prewriting Activities: 1. What are some of the things you want people to know about you, the
"real" you? Think about your hobbies, your appearance, your
interests, hopes, dreams, insecurities and pet peeves. 2. Record specific nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs that describe
who you are. The poem is about you. Just write, don't worry about form. Your Poem: Capture your
spirit in a poem—illustrate who you are using poetic language. |
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Helen Steiner Rice: Becoming an Ambassador of
“Son”-Shine Theme – We are called to be Christ to one another. Opening Prayer Let God’s light
shine before all—be an ambassador of Christ! Biography of Helen Steiner Rice Journal On: Describe how
faith has helped you in times of discouragement and triumph Poet’s Words - Never
Be Discouraged God’s Word – 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12 Exercise Spend time with a
young child or an elderly person. Help them to do the small things that most
of us take for granted; journal about your experience Closing Prayer Today I will walk
in the light of the Lord. |
Your Poem Objective: Future Poem Language Objective: Nouns,
adjectives, verbs Reading Objective: Selective
vocabulary/Comprehension compare and contrast Prewriting Activities: 1. Imagine it is the year 2020. Figure out how old you will be and jot
it down. Describe what life will be like for you at that age. Think about how
you will have to change, compromise or struggle to
achieve your dreams. Your Poem: Your poem is
entitled: "My Dream of the Future." |
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Philip Larkin: Seeking Healing Theme – Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you
rest. Opening Prayer Lord, I believe.
Help my unbelief. Biography of Philip Larkin Journal On: What is the
role community plays in your faith journey. Poet’s Words - Faith Healing God’s Word - Mk 10:46-52 Exercise Spend time in
helping another person heal…look to the works of corporal or spiritual mercy
for guidance Closing Prayer Jesus, Son of
David, have pity on me. |
Your Poem Objective: Capturing
Specific aspects of a person's character Language Objective: Nouns,
adjectives, verbs Reading Objective: Selective
vocabulary/Comprehension compare and contrast Prewriting Activities: 1. Re-read the scripture passage: Mark 10:46 – 52. Record specific
actions, problems and descriptions--this brainstormed list will give a list
of poem ideas. Your Poem: Retell the
scripture passage: Mark 10:46 – 52 as a character poem focusing on Bartimaeus' point of view. |
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At the completion of each exploration there will be a large
group or small group discussion. Students will be assessed on their
preparation, contributions and literary development. A copy of the discussion
assessment guide can be downloaded below.
The Final Assessment is Reflection Paper on the Poetry Unit.
Students should follow the standard five-paragraph format. Assignment
guidelines and a Rubric (grading sheet) can be downloaded below.
group_discussion_evaluation_sheet.pdf | |
File Size: | 24 kb |
File Type: |
poetry_portfolio_rubric.pdf | |
File Size: | 7 kb |
File Type: |