Writing Concrete Poetry

Today we wrote a concrete poem. A concrete poem is a poem that takes the shape of what you are writing about. For example, this poem is about basketball and not only do the words reflect that, but the picture does, too.

Your poem should relate to the theme of your project and the words and picture should reflect that. This is free verse, so there is no right or wrong way to write the poem.

Happy Poem In Your Pocket Day!

Today we began class with an opinion piece about animal testing. We had a great discussion about animal testing versus testing on humans. We talked about how some animals are raised for the sole purpose of being test subjects for various drugs and active ingredients in products that range from shampoo to cancer treatments. Is it fair to do this to animals? If not, who will test these products? How do we decide? Overall, we had a lively conversation with many varying opinions. If you were absent talk to me or Mrs. Deraps and we will give a copy of the opinion piece to you.

After our opinion piece, we finished our poetry handkerchiefs and took them outside to show them off! Here are a few pictures -- our "pocket poems" came out great!

The First Vignette

Today we're going to work on writing our first vignettes. Remember, these are short, descriptive pieces that focus on one snapshot of information or one memory you may have.

There are two choices today for topics to write about.

1.) You can write about your name. Some things to think about are: What does your name mean? Were you named for anyone? Is there someone you wish you were named for? Do you like your name? Would you change your name if you could?

For this one, it may help to look up what your name means. Here are some websites you can do that at:

http://www.meaning-of-names.com/
http://www.behindthename.com/

http://www.babycenter.com/baby-names

2.) You can write about a favorite toy or game from childhood. Some things to think about are: How old were you when this was your favorite? Why did you love it so much? Was it a game or toy you played with outside or inside? Was it something you shared with your friends? What happened to it?

Remember to dig deep and get creative!

The Ode Poem

Today we wrote an ode to an everyday item. This is a poem that asks you to look at something ordinary and everyday, and describe it in such a way that it becomes exciting and wonderful.

For example, a poet name Pablo Neruda wrote a poem about an onion. Onions are simple, everyday objects but he used very descriptive language and good detail to make an onion spectacular.

"Ode To The Onion" by Pablo Neruda

Onion,
luminous flask,
your beauty formed
petal by petal,
crystal scales expanded you
and in the secrecy of the dark earth
your belly grew round with dew.
Under the earth
the miracle
happened
and when your clumsy
green stem appeared,
and your leaves were born
like swords
in the garden,
the earth heaped up her power
showing your naked transparency,
and as the remote sea
in lifting the breasts of Aphrodite
duplicating the magnolia,
so did the earth
make you,
onion
clear as a planet
and destined
to shine,
constant constellation,
round rose of water,
upon
the table
of the poor.

You make us cry without hurting us.
I have praised everything that exists,
but to me, onion, you are
more beautiful than a bird
of dazzling feathers,
heavenly globe, platinum goblet,
unmoving dance
of the snowy anemone

and the fragrance of the earth lives
in your crystalline nature.



And here's Pablo Neruda!

Finding Lines for Our Poetry Project

You need to find 1 or 2 lines of poetry for our poetry project. These lines should come from one poem and make sense when considering your genre projects. This page from Poets.org will help you find a poem for any subject or occasion if you're having troubles!

When you find the poem and line(s) you want to use, email the following things:
- Poem Title
- Author
- Line(s) you're using
- What materials you want to recreate your lines with

The Art of Shakespeare's Words

We are going to make Shakespeare's words come to life! What you're going to do for this project is pick a quote (a few lines will do) from Twelfth Night. You are going to recreate these lines using various materials to make those lines visual art. Here is an example:

















This person used their iPod as part of their picture for a reason. Why? This quote is about music! The paper heart connects to the word "love" in the quote. What is missing from this example is the rest of the quote. The line actually reads "If music be the food of love then play on." Make sure you use the whole quote.

Another thing to note is that this example uses the author's name. For this project we will all be using the same book by the same author. You do NOT need to write William Shakespeare on your project.

This project will be done with all sorts of materials. We have listed some ideas on the blog, but go ahead and give us more ideas. Ms. G and I will look for items to use, but we need your help!

Brainstorming!!!

Today the 9th grade brainstormed ideas of what we can use to spell our words for the poetry project (the post below this one). It's going to be really neat!

Here is what we've come up with so far. What else can we think of?

The Acrostic Elegy

Today we wrote an acrostic elegy in class. This is an acrostic poem (one that spells something with the first letter of each line down the side of the poem) but it focuses on someone or something that has been lost or who has died. This does not need to be a person. It could be about a pet, or something you have loved and lost. It could even be about a big change in your life like a divorce or moving to a new home.


Here is an example:

Walter Payton Forever

Why did you have to leave this cruel world
And the sport that you have
Loved for so long
That you have considered it your life for
Eternity and when you always
Run for a touchdown all the
People in the crowd
All cheer together that
You were the best player ever
To play the sport
Of football and any player that got in your way
Never could stop "The Fridge"