H.+Lee's+Poetry+Activity

Hannah Lee ECI430 11/15/2010

**__Model Poem Writing Assignment__** 7th grade
 * Published Poem for Unit on Identity and Voice**


 * __Stuck With Me__** by Sharon G. Flake

//Pimples// //Mom telling me I stink// //Girls saying I ain’t –// //Tall enough// //Fly enough// //That I can’t jump and shoot the ball high enough// //That’s me// //Stuck in puberty// //Shaving hairs I ain’t even got// //Waving at girls that say I better not tell nobody that they know me// //Living in the shower// //Hiding magazines// //Staying up half the night looking at websites not meant for me// //Texting girls who never text me back// //Knowing I would never treat them like that// //Glasses on my nose// //Braces on my teeth// //Everyone complaining how I eat and eat and eat// //But who cares how unfair life can be?// //Stuck in puberty// //All alone// //Just me// //and me.//

After a brief overview of the poem and possible meanings, we will venture deeper into the world of free verse. I will point out that free verse poems have no identifiable meter, however do possess a rhyme-scheme. Students will be encouraged to discover the freedom of free verse poetry, through their own independent practice after Ms. Lee gives a few model examples. For independent practice, students will be give approximately two minutes to brainstorm ideas for their free verse poem, the teacher emphasizing the freedom to write about anything they desire. After two minutes of brainstorming, students will be encouraged to share some of their thoughts or ideas with the class (2 minutes). They will then begin writing their poem draft, pulling ideas from the brainstormed ideas. Students will be able to work for approximately 5-8 minutes on their poems, before reporting on their progress and rough drafts. We will continued working on these free verse poems the following day and to create a more finalized draft of their poems, which will be displayed on the classroom bulletin boards.
 * Specific Directions**

//**Crazy Days**// My life is full of crazy days, the ones that zip by and cause me to fray. The joys of the mornings become the highlights of my day, as I swiftly fade and fade and fade. Crazy days consistent with my glaze that persist and persist throughout these crazy days.
 * __Ms. Lee’s Example:__**