Inside a Poet's Mind

INSIDE A POET'S MIND
with OR without
Writing Workshop
Grades 3 - 5
1 hour OR 45 minutes

We begin by discussing what a poem is (and isn't). Next,
students get a peek inside a poet's mind as I introduce
     several poetic forms, talk about inspiration/ideas, and
     model a process for writing a poem. Then, I encourage
     students to use this same process to write a poem on
     their own as I circulate, providing individual feedback
     and support. Most students will have time to finish
   brainstorming and begin a rough draft of their poem.

Finally, I use examples from my own writing to show how
     a poet may revise her work—emphasizing concepts such as
word choice, line breaks, action verbs, and punctuation. If
     time permits, student volunteers are invited to share their
work aloud.

Students should complete this workshop with a greater
  understanding of and appreciation for poetry and its
     many forms.

INSIDE A POET'S MIND
short program
Grades 1 - 2
25 minutes

This short program introduces the concept of poetry to
     young audience. I adapt age-appropriate material from
   my program for older students above and include concepts
   like rhyming pairs and song as a form of poetry.

This program has no writing component.

"I really enjoyed having Mrs. Sklansky visit us. She taught me a lot about poetry and I was surprised at how well I did with it. I think she opened the world of poetry up to me more than I expected. The way she brainstorms poetry was a lot like how I brainstorm for writing narratives and non-fiction. It never occurred to me that poets plan in some of the same ways that I already do." —4th Grader, The John Cooper School in The Woodlands, TX