Using Poetry to Explore Change and Belonging
Students read poems on change and growth and contemplate the idea of belonging, while learning the distinguishing features of poetry.
- Grades: 6–8
Growth cannot occur without change. Growing up is not always easy, but a sense of belonging makes change less scary. Some people feel they belong to a place. Others feel at home in groups. Students will read poems that pertain to change and growth and think about their own sense of belonging.
- Understand and appreciate poetry.
- Understand the following literary terms: form, sound, imagery, figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification).
- Recognize the distinguishing features of poetry.
Lesson Plans for this Unit
Lesson 1: Strategies to Read and Analyze Poetry
Lesson 2: Exploring Change Through Poetry
Students will brainstorm one of their familiar experiences from growing up. They will write a poem describing that experience. The poem must be descriptive with example (s) of: simile, metaphor, rhyme, personification, etc. Students will create an illustration, drawing, or collage for their poem.
Students will also research The Poetry in Motion program, developed by the Poetry Society of America and the MTA New York City Transit to make the experience of using public transportation more pleasurable. The program places poetry generally written by recognized and published authors on colorful posters in subway cars and buses. The class will create their own "Classroom in Motion" program, and display their poems and illustrations in the classroom.