Lesson of the Day: A Great Observational Experience Using Poetry

So the big wigs came to my school last week and I didn’t want to embarrass the school, get my administrator in trouble, and end up teaching from a cart next year, so I went to one of my favorite lessons: Poetry Speed Analysis.

It covers a slew of Common Core objectives. They’re listed at the link above, so I’m not going to list them again. In fact, I’m not even going to put the actual lesson plan here. It’s at the link above, too. I will give you some tips, but first you’re going to get some 21st-century learning objectives.

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  1. Information literacy: Students need to be familiar with poetry and how to read and analyze it.
  2. Critical thinking: It is, after all, a poetry ANALYSIS!
  3. Collaboration: The assignment requires specific participation by all students in a group.
  4. Communication: Speakers must communicate the essence of their small group discussion.

These suggestions will make you and your students look better.

  1. Students should have the basics of annotating and analyzing poetry.
  2. A rigid class schedule should be posted on the board, down to the minute.
  3. Have everyone do the same poem. Make the speakers wait in the hall, so they can’t copy what others say.
  4. Be rigid on the amount of time each speaker must fill without going over.
  5. Instruct the audience to applaud when each speaker walks in the room.
  6. You begin applauding when the speaker’s time is up, followed by audience applause.

Don’t be like this guy.

Any excuse to play this clip is a good excuse.

Last Updated on March 24, 2014 by Trenton Lorcher

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