Poetry Calisthenics and Dulce Coaching

Starter 4: Poetry Calisthenics with Amnesty International Photos

If you were absent for this, you'll need to get the photos from Lori to make up this starter- I don't have digital copies of them!

1. Find a table with a picture that interests or intrigues you (for the first round, this can’t be your original table!)
2. Take a minute and closely examine the picture- look at setting, expression, details, and emotion.
3. Take 5 minutes, and write 4-8 lines that capture something about this person’s experience of world
1. Round 1:  Focus on creating a specific tone, or emotional mood
2. Round 2:  Focus on creating vivid sensory impressions
3. Round 3:  Focus on using interesting metaphors or similes

Coaching Steps:

1. Fluid Reading: Make sure each group member is clear on pronunciation of words.  Each student reads poem out loud to the group.
2. Close Reading: Go line by line until every group member can summarize every line of the poem.  Remember to ask questions, address every issue from D/C journals.
3. Coaching Handout:  Complete coaching handout with your group.

Poetry Definitions

1. Read through this list of definitions of poetry.
2. Start your three favorite definitions.  For each, explain what you think this definition is trying to convey about poetry.
3. Choose one of the following topics:  War, Violence, Peace, Truth, or Power.  Write a series of at least 6 definitions in the style of Sandburg that aims to illuminate different aspects of your chosen topic.  Make your metaphors and comparisons unexpected!  Get really creative with them!
4. So, if you chose War, one of your definitions might  be:  "War is a glittering shard of metal, forged long ago, and left to rust."
5. Must have at least 6 definitions (can have more).

HOMEWORK:  Finish definitions (see instructions above).  DUE: Start of Class, Thursday