English I Poetry Portfolio Project

Introduction

You will complete a poetry project that will allow you to use your creative mind to lead readers (me) on a poetic journey centered around a theme of your choice. Be sure to include figurative language and other literary devices to help bring your words to life!

Task

For this assignment, students will create 15 original poems connected to 1 theme of their choice. I encourage you to look at the theme as a restriction, but as creative inspiration for your poems. The following list will provide guidance for what type of poems your first 10 poems should be:

  • I Am Poem
  • Someday Poem
  • One Window Is All I Need Poem
  • Haiku Poem
  • Concrete Poem
  • Cinquain Poem
  • Ode Poem
  • Found Poem
  • Free-Verse Poem
  • Sonnet Poem

For your additional 5 poems, you may use any type of poem you choose, but they may not all be the same type.

Portfolio must include a cover page (include name, class period, theme, and creative visual), a table of contents, and students must answer the following reflection questions which must also be included as the last page of the portfolio. Below is the link to a template students can refer to as a blueprint for what their final project should look like:

Poem Template - Accommodations - Google Docs

  • Reflection questions
  1. Define poetry. What does it mean to you?
  2. What is your theme and why did you choose it?
  3. What is the importance of the visual you chose for your cover page?
  4. Name your favorite poem you wrote. Why is this your favorite?
  5. Name your least favorite poem you wrote. Why is this your least favorite?
  6. What grade would you give your project? Why?
Process

The first step you will take in this project is to carefully read all directions on the portfolio. Follow the link below and you will also be given a hard copy for you to keep and refer back to throughout this project. This portfolio will be your guide as it include directions for and examples of each of the 10 required types of poems.

Poetry Portfolio - Google Docs

Once you have read all directions, either choose a theme from the list below or come up with a theme of your own. If you chose to come up with a theme of your own, I must approve the theme before you can begin writing your poems to insure that it is an appropriate topic.

  • Themes:

A Dancer’s World

A Fairy Tale Experience

Who Am I?

Choices and Consequences

The Supernatural

Technology versus Nature

The Views of War

The Deep Ocean

The Canvas of an Artist

Uncertainties in Life

A Life Lost too Soon

Past, Present, and Future Self

Good Versus Evil

Moments in Time

The Spirit of an Athlete

Fire and Ice

Beneath the Mask

Day and Night

Behind the Stage

A Passion for Music

Through a Child’s Eye

A Journey of . . .

Once you have chosen your theme, you will begin writing your first drafts. We will work on these during class time so that I am available to provide assistance as needed. Due dates for each portion of this assignment is as follows:

06/28: Drafts of poems 1 – 5

06/30: Drafts of poems 6 – 10

07/04: Drafts of poems 11 – 15, Cover page, Draft of Table of Contents, and Reflections

07/07: Final cover page, table of contents, poems 1 – 15, and reflection should be typed, printed, and turned in (or emailed) by the end of your class period.

Evaluation

You will be evaluated based on creativity, originality, and the extent to which you followed directions.

Conclusion

This project is intended to aid you in cultivating and improving your writing skills and inspire creative thinking. Make it your own and have fun!

Credits
Teacher Page

Ms. McKinney

Email: bmckinney@**********.k12.ms.us

Planning Period: 1:40 – 2:30

Feel free to email me any questions or concerns you may have. If you are in need of extra assistance, you may come during the last 30 minutes of my planning period (2:00 – 2:30).