#23

OVERVIEW

Students compose found and parallel poems based on descriptive literary passages they have read. Students first select a passage and then pick out descriptive words, phrases and lines. They then arrange and format the excerpts to compose their own poems. Students create found poems (poems that are composed from words and phrases found in another text) as well as parallel poems (original poems that use the same line structures as another poem, but focus on a completely different topic.) This process of recasting the text they are reading in a different genre helps students become more insightful readers and develop creativity in thinking and writing. Since students are primarily identifying nouns and verbs for use in their poems, the lesson also provides a relevant opportunity for a grammar review of these two parts of speech.

I found this article on the internet when searching found poems. I thought it was an interesting take on the things we learned about found poems this week.

I'm thinking of doing something like this for this weeks found poem. I have so many ideas I'm not sure where to start. So, I will start with the idea of finding lines from books and fitting them together and if that doesn't work out the way I hope I will move on to the next of my many ideas.

#22

Sestina for the Frightened

When darkness falls and the owl speaks,
the floor boards squeak and I become nervous.
Every sound, sight, and shadow makes me jump.
On the couch, blanket pulled up high, I lie fallow
but I cannot protect myself from the thoughts planted
by my overly imaginative mind.

My cat wants my company and I don't mind.
For he speaks
to me in his planted
purrs and my nervousness
begins to fall fallow.
Then the house moans and I jump.

From the couch to my feet, I instantly jump
and thoughts of doubt invade my mind,
it is no longer fallow.
I laugh at myself and speak
to my pet, of my silly nervousness.
But because of my fright he has planted

his claws into the plant
that stands beside me. When I jumped
it made him just as nervous
but now he won't mind.
I calmly speak
to him and ask him to lay fallow.

As we lay fallow
my fingers, his claws planted
into the plush cushions. I speak
to my beloved and ask him not to jump
but to mind,
so that we might contain our nervousness.

I truly would like for my nerves
to be fallow
and for my mind
to be implanted
with realistic thoughts so that I do not jump.
So with great intention I speak:

That I will no longer be nervous; I will keep my body planted
firmly on this couch, while my mind lies fallow. I will no longer jump.

I made the revisions on my Sestina and here is what I came up with. I feel like I have somewhat accomplish the Sestina and am happy to say that I will not be writing any others. Thank you all for the suggestions. Oh, and about the 3 lines at the end... I could not seem to make it work out, so it made it my own and omitted the 3rd and used it with greater attention in the stanza above. However, if anyone has a suggestion on how to work it in so that is doesn't sound crazy I would be willing to look at this stupid thing one last time. Ha!

#21

After reading the "List and Found" packet this week I have noticed potential poems everywhere. While I'm in the classroom taking notes. When I'm walking the halls noticing the posted info on the doors and walls. While I'm driving home. Reading ingredient labels of the food I eat. The instructions from the new heating pad I received (for stress relief). Telephone conversations. Homework instructions. Magazines. Television. EVERYWHERE. All of the possibilities are making me crazy. It somewhat exciting though. Has anyone else noticed these things?