Knowing that I was going to teach an entire unit on Poetry, those memories did not get me very far. First thing I did was a trip to the library and literally emptied one entire shelf. Along with the research I compiled, I asked another teacher candidate (who had an English teachable) for guidance, and he gave me plenty of ideas and encouragement to overcome my fear.
I realized poetry did not have to be simply reading poems fro
m the classic poets and get students to decode and analyze those poems. I decided that I'd take a different approach and mix poetry and art. Hence, I'm currently working with the Art teacher at the school as well. I created a learning wall on this unit (which is still progressing) so that students could refer to the different types of poems and poetic devices discussed.It's been a challenging experience, because I myself am learning about poetry while I'm teaching it to a class. It's been even more difficult for me to understand how I would be assessing the poems without having proper background knowledge.
In order to overcome the struggles around this unit, I chose to diversify the ways to learn poetry. Here are some of my lessons:
(1) Introduction to Poetry: A well-known and fun poet: Dr. Seuss - Green Eggs and Ham; plus reading some good old Dr.Seuss books.
(2) Observation Poetry: Walking around the school and taking photos of an appealing object (i.e: trophies, basketballs, lockers, etc) in order to create a poem
(3) City Poetry: Walking down Younge Street and noting down the urban atmosphere, setting, environment (or lack of), and people in order to create a poem
(4) Art-Inspired Poetry: Creating a poem based on a painting
(5) Rap: Looking at the rhythm and message of contemporary poetry (rap): Wavin' Flag (K'Naan), Where is the Love? (Black Eyed Peas), I Can (Nas)
It's been quite a learning experience for me as I'm slowly overcoming my poetry phobia!
(2) Observation Poetry: Walking around the school and taking photos of an appealing object (i.e: trophies, basketballs, lockers, etc) in order to create a poem(3) City Poetry: Walking down Younge Street and noting down the urban atmosphere, setting, environment (or lack of), and people in order to create a poem
(4) Art-Inspired Poetry: Creating a poem based on a painting
(5) Rap: Looking at the rhythm and message of contemporary poetry (rap): Wavin' Flag (K'Naan), Where is the Love? (Black Eyed Peas), I Can (Nas)It's been quite a learning experience for me as I'm slowly overcoming my poetry phobia!
I taught a bit of poetry for my AT during my Step days and then I marked one class' poetry assignments. My AT skipped the analysis part of poetry because two of his classes really struggle with critical thinking skills. Instead he focused on form (dylan thomas portraits, quatrain, free verse, I am) and had them connect the poetry to the theme of identity. I think the identity part is the key aspect here. Some students were stuck on a superficial level but many took the opportunity to really delve into who they are. The results were great. Even with a rubric poetry is tough to mark but I think giving the students an opportunity to explore themselves through poetry is quite effective.
ReplyDeleteSai!
ReplyDeleteYou've done so well. Such an organized and visually appealing learning wall.
My favourite part is how you kept all of the handouts on the shelf directly below the wall, so students could take care of themselves if they needed to replace one or catch up.
Glad to have worked with you, you're a rockstar Sai!
- c
Just to add a slice about hip hop as poetry ...
ReplyDeleteI think that as instructors, we need to approach all forms of expression with love and respect.
One of the excellent "hooks" of using hip hop is that it is a way to show students that powerful writing comes from authors of many different experiences, cultures, races, and histories.
This seemingly "additive" technique of doing a section on hip hop lyrics may have the lasting effect of legitimizing the writing and experiences of folks who may write from the margins. Folks who may be the parenthetical notes in textbooks, who have been repeatedly written over and written out of "high" art, "real" poetry, and "true" expression.
As we explore the stories and experiences of a wide range of folks in our classrooms, we can build a healthy community of learners where all folks feel are having their voices heard, validated, poetically expressed.
I remember reading James Baldwin for the first time in a second year university course, and wondering, why have I never heard of this man before? He's definitely not a hip hop artist, but his writing was also erased from my education. Why? As teachers, we need to seek out these stories, and allow our students to hear and write stories that speak to them.
Much love,
cameron
Sai, your learning wall looks really awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you incorporated many different style and types of poetry, and also poems from other cultures....ie. poem about bamboos and pandas.
I'm sure after teaching this unit, you are an expert on poetry now. This is also what I like about teaching, you learn together with the students, and you never stop learning. Next time I have questions about poetry, I know who to ask now!
Your poetry unit was awesome. The students were engaged and seemed to learn so much from your insight. Great job.
ReplyDelete