Lesson+7

Grade Level: 9 Unit: Poetry Lesson 7

Title of lesson: Contemporary Poetry

 Utilizing knowledge of poetic elements from previous lessons, as a class we will read and analyze a few examples of post-WWII poetry. We will also look at slam poetry/spoken word written and performed today.

 Assignment type: Annotations of a contemporary poem + replication of 3 or more poetic elements from that poem in an original poem

 Lesson objectives (include 2 or 3):
 * Students will understand that poetry is not dead. It is evolving and still exists as an artistic form they can utilize to express themselves.
 * Students will be able to identify significant contemporary American poets, some characteristics of their works, and will compose their own poetry inspired by contemporary works.

 Time required to complete this lesson: 3-4 classes

 Assignment (homework or in-class: this is how the learner will practice the learning that has just occurred):  From a selection of contemporary poems or from a researched poem approved by the teacher, each student will draw one out of a hat, obtain a copy of the complete poem, and annotate it highlighting three or more poetic elements. Students will then construct their own poems including at least three of those elements.

They must then record either their original poems or those drawn from the hat or both using vocaroo.com. Here is an example of a vocaroo recording of an original poem performed in a poetry slam at St. John's University, Minnesota in 2006. media type="custom" key="7642179"

 Technology used: Word document of examples, vocaroo.com

 The technology used in this lesson changes the teaching / learning in this way: Students will be able to compare poetry in traditional text with modern performance via hyperlinks in the teaching aid. Students will also learn to create a simple podcast combining technical and speaking skills. <span style="color: #800000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> Resources/materials needed: