Lesson 1: Introduction to Poetry
Lesson Overview
Students will explore the fundamental characteristics of poetry and begin to understand how poetry can express identity.
Opening Activity
Play This Teenage Life podcast about poetry as a creative outlet.
Discuss: What Makes a Poem…a Poem?
- What are some key features that distinguish a poem from other types of writing, such as a story or an essay?
- How does the use of rhyme and rhythm contribute to the overall feel and meaning of a poem?
- Why might a poet choose to use figurative language, such as metaphors or similes, in a poem?
- In what ways does the structure of a poem (like line breaks and stanzas) affect how the poem is read and understood?
- What role do emotions and imagery play in making a poem unique compared to other forms of writing?
WATCH: TED Ed Melissa Kovacs, ‘What Makes Poem….a Poem?
Quick Write
Ask students whether song lyrics, speeches, or tweets can be considered poetry.
Lesson Closure
√ Distribute Poetic Literary Devices Worksheet.
- Share responses with peers.