Poetry Slide Show

Course(s)/Subject(s): English

Grade Level(s):8

Key Words: Poetry, Analyzing Poetry, Poets

Developer(s) Name: Pamela L. Gainous
(adapted from UNDERSTANDING POETRY, www.microsoft.com)

School: Lake Braddock MS

Approximate Time Frame:One week

Materials/Equipment Needed: Internet, ClarisWorks; ClarisWorks (for slide show)

Description of Lesson (includes context): In this lesson, students will use the Internet to find a poem that they would like to research and analyze. They will then create an informal paper on the poem and create a ClarisWorks slide presentation to explain the poem to classmates.

LESSON OUTLINE

  1. What is the objective of this lesson? (1) Students will learn to analyze poetry;
    (2) Students will practice expository writing skills; (3) Students will practice oral
    presentation skills; (4) Students will gain a greater appreciation of poetry.

FCPS POS Standards:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

FCPS POS Benchmarks:8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5

FCPS POS Indicators:8.1-1, 8.1-2, 8.1-3, 8.1-4; 8.2-1, 8.2-2, 8.2-4; 8.3-1, 8.3-2, 8.3-3,
8.3-4; 8.4-1, 8.4-2, 8.4-3, 8.4-4; 8.5-1, 8.5-4; 8.6-2

VA SOL(s) (including Computer/Technology): 7.3, 7.5, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, C/T8.1, C/T 8.4

EVIDENCE

  1. What will we examine as evidence of students' knowledge and/or skill?

Product(s):
Student slide shows should demonstrate a clear understanding of the
the meaning of the poem they select. It should also clearly communicate this meaning to
classmates.

Performance(s):
Students will print a copy of their selected poem from the Internet.
Students will submit a story map layout of their slide show plan.
Students will produce an effective slide show.

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DIRECTIONS

  1. What exactly will the students and teacher do during the lesson?

Directions to students for proceeding with the lesson:

In this activity, you will use the Internet to find apoem that you like and then research,
analyze and present your interpretation of that poem to the class.

  1. Use the Internet to choose a poem that you would like to analyze. Refer to the list of
    favorite poems and poets generated by the class if needed. Share any poems you
    particularly like with your classmates to help increase everyone's appreciation of
    poetry.
  2. Using ClarisWorks, retype your poem. Type the entire poem in boldface. Leave
    several spaces between each line of poetry (5-6 lines minimum).
  3. After each line of poetry, in regular, plain type, write a line-by-line explanation of the
    poem. The explanation of each line should include definitions of unfamiliar vocabulary,
    possible associations with the images, and explanations of the poem's metaphors and
    meaning.
  4. After you have thoroughly discussed each line, write a separate paragraph describing
    why this poem has personal meaning to your. What do you identify with and why?
    What happened to you personally to help you understand the poem? Give some
    autobiographical information that you feel comfortable sharing. Keep in mind thatthis
    paper is informal, not a polished paper. However, it should be accurate in its
    interpretation and must include analysis as well as some autobiographical information.
  5. You are now going to present your interpretation of the poem to your classmates by
    creating a five to ten minute slide presentation using ClarisWorks. The presentation
    should have three key elements:
    a. The poem should be read aloud at some time during the presentation, but not
    necessarily at the beginning.
    b. The presentation must help the audience understand thepoem.
    c. The meaning of the poem must be expressed both verbally and through images and
    sound added to your slide show.

Consider experimenting with color, backgrounds, text styles, clip art, draw tools, animation, music, sound effects, or recorded narration to enhance your slide show.

  1. Plan your slide show by story mapping it on a poster.
  2. Before presenting the final product, practice your presentation with a classmate.

Directions to teacher/administrator using the lesson?

*Note: Students should be able to search the Internet using search engines and should be
familiar with ClarisWorks slide show basics.
1. Start with a class lesson on how to analyze a poem. Choose one or two poems an
work through the analysis of each as a class. Give the students clear guidelines and/or a
rubric indicating the types of insights you will be looking for in their analysis.

  1. Discuss with the class some of their favorite poets and/or poems. Write the poets and

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poems on the chalkboard or overhead projector. Have students tell what they know about each poet. Have students use the Internet to locate web sites dedicated to the poets listed and download or print some of their poems.

  1. Explain to students that in this lesson they are going to research and analyze a poem that
    has particular meaning to them.

APPROPRIATE ACCOMMODATIONS/MODIFICATIONS

  1. What options in presentation(s) and/or response(s) are suggested in order to provide the opportunity for all students to demonstrate achievement of the benchmark(s) and indicator(s)?

Special needs students or students with little experience using the required software could
be paired with other students or this could be done as a small group assignment. These
students may also require additional time in completing the assignment. If needed, have a
resource teacher or aide present during the entire planning and implementation to expedite
completion of the lesson.

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