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Days of Poetry in My Classroom

2/23/2016

3 Comments

 
I teach sporadic bits of poetry throughout the whole school year, but then comes a magical time (currently right now) where I spend quality days of reading and writing poetry with my classes. These days are filled with my favorite moments of the whole year. 
I start off with asking students frankly, "Tell me what you think about poetry." I ask them to be honest, and to tell me if they hate it. When the few tell me they don't like it, I press again and ask why. They're response is usually the same: "I have nothing to write about." 
And so, I start off with our first poetry writing assignment: The Six Word Memoir.

For those of you that don't know, the Six Word Memoir is a project which asks:
One Life. Six Words. What's Yours?
If you had only six words to say about yourself, what would you say?
​
What my kiddos are able to write in six words always astounds me. Some are lighthearted and witty, and others are the very reason that I stay awake at night. 
These students are only 13 or 14 years of age, and yet here they are embracing some of their biggest woes. 
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Picture
I love teaching poetry to my 8th graders because for the first time, I really begin to see them take ownership in their writing. They produce these poems (sometimes just six words and others in iambic pentameter) and they suddenly aren't afraid to take risks. They boldly state their vulnerabilities and insecurities and they suddenly aren't afraid. 
Most of our poems are nameless, I ask the students to not include their names on their work and yet often they still do. They take pride in their work. But our Six Word Memoirs always stay anonymous. The anonymity in the Six Word Memoir allows them to take the biggest risks.
So now my friends, I ask you and encourage you to share: 

If you had only six words,
​what would you say?

3 Comments
Poppa Small
2/23/2016 04:21:49 pm

LOVE YOU CHILDREN ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Reply
TJ
2/24/2016 04:10:01 am

Laughter can only mask so much.

Reply
Kate link
2/25/2016 04:51:01 am

This is a powerful one!
Thanks for sharing, TJ.

Reply



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    "I have no special talent. 
    I am only passionately curious."

    Sometimes, I reach for a pen and when I put it to paper, the words I didn't know I had inside me are released. 
    So here it is: 
    I'm gettin' it all out. 


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