Finding Your Voice in Writing: I Am Poetry Lesson Guide

Lesson Guide | Description

Students will use the “I Am Poetry” Template to write their own creative piece of poetry.

Instructor: Gemma Defee CooperGrade Level: 5-12

Subject: English Language Arts

Goal:

Students will be able to express themselves through their own piece of creative poetry and decorate the finished piece.

Wonder Why:

Have you ever wondered why people create poetry? Have you ever wondered how to get started to create your own?

Lesson Guide | Agenda

Lesson Guide Agenda:

v Vocabularyv Materials Listv Activity Instructionsv Challenge: Express Yourself!v Additional Resourcesv Oklahoma Academic Standards

Lesson Guide | Vocabulary

Figurative – A metaphorical way of looking at things, not literal.

Imagery – Descriptive language that draws on the senses to help the reader develop the imagine in their head.

Imaginary – Not real, existing only in the mind.

Line – A single row of words in a poem.

Literal – Something that is free from exaggeration or embellishment.

Stanza – A group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem.

Theme – The main idea of the poem.

Tone – The attitude of the writer towards the audience

Contrast – The difference between two things.

Lesson Guide | Instruction and Template

Watch the “Finding Your Voice in Writing: I Am Poetry ” video before continuing to the challenge!

Be sure to print your “I Am Poetry” Template to follow along with the lesson!

If you have any questions throughout this lesson, please email teachers@oerb.com. We would love to hear from you!

Lesson Guide | Materials List

“I Am Poetry” Activity

Materials Needed:

“I Am Poetry” TemplateOld Magazines Pens/MarkersGlueScissorsConstruction Paper

Lesson Guide | Instructions

Getting Started:Follow the instructions line by line in the “I Am Poetry” template provided on HomeRoom.

Notice the title. It’s all about you! This poem is about:§ Who you are§ Who you want to be§ Who you can see yourself as

This is a 3-stanza poem, with 18 lines:§ Lines 1, 6, 12, and 18 of the poem are all repeated – These are your main opening

concept, or your theme and sets your tone.§ Be sure your theme can be used throughout your poem.§ Each line will ask you to come up with things about yourself. Whether it be

literal, figurative, or imaginary.§ Express yourself and have fun!

Let’s Write Some Poetry!

Lesson Guide | Instruction

Stanza 1:

The first line will help you set your theme and tone with two special characteristics about yourself. Be sure to keep this theme throughout your poem!

Stanza 1 includes:§ What are two special characteristics about yourself?§ What is something you are curious about?§ Name an imaginary sound.§ Name an imaginary sight.§ What is a desire that you have?

Go to the next page for an example of Stanza 1

Stanza 1 Example:

Lesson Guide | Instructions - Example

Line 1Line 2Line 3Line 4Line 5Line 6

I am Brave and StrongI wonder how other people liveI hear their voicesI see their smiles I want to see the worldI am Brave and Strong

Lesson Guide | Instructions

Stanza 2:

Stanza 2 asks for more imagery, something you pretend and something imaginary.

Stanza 2 includes:§ Something you pretend to do.§ A feeling about something imaginary.§ An imaginary touch.§ Something that bothers you.§ Something that makes you sad.

It is okay to have contrast!

Remember to keep your theme and tone in mind! You will repeat your theme again in line 12, so make sure to keep your theme going throughout this stanza.

Go to the next page for an example of Stanza 2

Stanza 2 Example:

Lesson Guide | Instructions - Example

Line 7Line 8Line 9Line 10Line 11Line 12

I pretend I can FlyI feel the wind in my hairI touch the clouds floating byI worry about going too highI cry if I am aloneI am Brave and Strong

Lesson Guide | Instructions

Stanza 3:

Remember: there are no limits in poetry!

Stanza 3 concludes everything and ties it all together! What do you understand and what do you dream of?

Stanza 3 includes:§ Something that you understand or know to be true.§ Something that you believe in.§ Something you dream about. § Something you make an effort to do.§ Something you hope for.

The last line will be your theme from line 1! Don’t forget to keep your theme and tone throughout Stanza 3.

Go to the next page for an example of Stanza 3

Stanza 3 Example:

Lesson Guide | Example

Line 13Line 14Line 15Line 16Line 17Line 18

I understand life can be hardI say follow your heartI dream about going even higherI try to share my dreamsI hope to see the worldI am Brave and Strong

Lesson Guide | Challenge

Challenge: Express Yourself!

Once you finish your poem, use markers, construction paper, images cut out of a

magazine, or other items to decorate your page.

Example:

Lesson Guide | Example

Check out this decorated example from the stanzas above!

Be creative and express yourself by choosing a theme to decorate and

explain your creative poem.

Lesson Guide | Challenge

WANT TO WIN A PRIZE?

Submit your creative poem! Share a picture with us by emailing teachers@oerb.com and on

Facebook/Instagram by tagging us @oerbok.

Be sure to include your name, grade, school, and teacher!

The teacher with the most student submissions will win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

Lesson Guide | Additional Resources

Check out these additional resources!

1. State Department of Education | English Language Artshttps://sde.ok.gov/language-arts

Lesson Guide | Oklahoma Academic Standards

Standard 2: Reading and Writing Process (Writing): Students will develop and strengthen writing by engaging in a recursive process that includes prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.

Standard 3: Critical Reading and Writing (Writing): Students will write for varied purposes and audiences in all modes, using fully developed ideas, strong organization, well-chosen words, fluent sentences, and appropriate voice.

Standard 4: Vocabulary (Writing): Students will apply knowledge of vocabulary to communicate by using descriptive, academic, and domain-appropriate abstract and concrete words in their writing.

If you would like to explore more Oklahoma Academic Standards for English Language Arts click here.