Unit+Proposal+-+Poetry+-+Basgall

__** Unit Proposal **__


 * Course: ** English 9-10


 * Unit: ** Poetry with a focus on contemporary forms, mainly free verse with mini lessons on strict forms (villanelle, cinquain, haiku, elegy, & acrostic).

Teaching Poetry Writing to Adolescents by Joseph I. Tsujimoto Awakening the Heart: Exploring Poetry in Elementary and Middle School by Georgia Heard [] Student-selected poetry (audio or written). Selected readings from various poetry sites.
 * Texts: **


 * Form of Intertextual Study: ** Single-genre study - Poetry


 * Purpose: **

For students to comprehend where poetry derived from. For students to understand that writing poetry can be therapeutic. For students to identify the various forms of poetry. For students to be able to undergo the challenges of composing a written form of poetry. For students to be able to understand poetry forms around feelings, senses, and rhythm. For students to be able to realize the language and audience within different forms of poetry.

Why would we want to write poetry? Who is the audience for a poem? How can a reader identify specific poems? With poetic forms being varied, how do we identify if something is a poem?
 * Essential Questions: **

How do feelings, senses, and rhythm affect the poem? Does poetry have to be politically correct? What makes a poem and what does not? Does poetry have to have meaning? Do poems have to focus on one subject at all times? Can poetry be therapeutic?
 * Unit Questions: **

Students write their own poem book filled with a few various types of poems. Students partake in a poetry slam in front of the class. Students who are comfortable enough with their poetry performances will present to a larger audience – in the community.
 * Assessments: **

Students are exposed to different examples of various types of poetry. Students work in small groups to identify specific aspects of poems. Students peer edit poems and discuss what they found interesting and what could be worked on. Students develop an understanding of meaning within poetry. Students identify poetic devices and the application within various examples. Students write their own poetry book. Students compare poems provided through examples given in class.
 * Learning Activities: **