Poetry Scavenger Hunt

Introduction

 

Poetry is everywhere including the Internet, school library and even the music to which you listen.

You are going to be a detective on the trail of some famous poets and their poetry. As you progress through this task, you will search out the information to solve the case. To solve the case, you will need find a poem that speaks to you or that you find interesting, the name of the poet and some information about him or her,  and what poetic elements are used in that poem.

Task

Step One:  Your first task is to locate specific information on poetry terms, poets, and individual poems using the Internet.  Use the form I provided you.

Step Two: After searching through these sites, you should select a poem to share with the class. 

 You must be able to identify at least 3 literary devices used in that poem.  If your poem does not use 3 literary devices, you must choose a new poem.

You will create a powerpoint that shares the poem, its literary elements, a short bio on the author,as well as, other visually appealing and related images. 

Step 3:  You will present your powerpoint to the class and share your poem.

Process

1. Using the web site http://www.poetry-online.org/poetry-terms.htm record the definition for each of the following poetry terms:

  • Simile
  • Metaphor
  • Rhyme
  • Personification
  • Hyperbole
  • Alliteration
  • Internal Rhyme
  • Repetition
  • Onomatopoeia
  • Symbolism
  • Accent
  • Imagery

2. Go to the web sites below and read the following poems:

  • Print the graphic organizer from the resources of this page to use to record your information.
  • As you read the poems, list all the above poetry terms that apply to the poem along with an explanation of why that term fits with the poem,
  • Also jot down interesting information about each poet.

a. http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=177021
     Mother to Son by Langston Hughes
     Read the poet information at this site by clicking on "more."

b. http://www.famouspeoplebiographyguide.com/famous-poets/shel-silverstein/Alliteration-Poems-By-Shel-Silverstein.html
     Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
     Read about Shel Silverstein by exploring the links before the poem.

c. http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/as-soon-as-fred-gets-out-of-bed/
     As Soon as Fred Gets Out of Bed by Jack Prelutsky
     Read about Jack Prelutsky by clicking on biography under his name.

d. http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=176315
     Catch a Little Rhyme by Eve Merriam
     Read about Eve Merriam by clicking "more" under her picture.
     http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/weather-2/
     Weather by Eve Merriam
     
e.http://www.whitmanarchive.org/published/LG/1891/poems/19
     I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman
     Read about Walt Whitman on this web site:
     http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/126

f. http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-know-why-the-caged-bird-sings/
     I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou
     Read about Maya Angelou by clicking "poets page."

g. http://http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-m-nobody-who-are-you/
     I'm Nobody by Emily Dickinson
     Read about Emily Dickinson by clicking "poets page".

h. http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/arithmetic/
     Arithmetic by Carl Sandberg
     Read about Carl Sandberg by clicking "poets page".

i. http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15717
     The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (Listen to this one by clicking "play.")
     Read about Robert Frost by clicking "more" under his picture.

j. http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15682
     Making a Fist by Naomi Shihab Nye (Listen to this one by clicking "play.")
     Negotiations with a Volcano by Naomi Shihab Nye
     http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/21281
     Read about Naomi Shihab Nye by clicking on "more" next to her picture.

3. Select one of the poets above to do further research. Use the Internet and the school library to search for information and poems for the poet you select. Find a poem that speaks to you or intrigues you by your poet.

4. Using PowerPoint, create a multimedia presentation for the poem and poet that you selected and include: 

  • biographical information about your poet  (short 5-7 sentences)
  •  the poem of your choice (this should be the focus of your powerpoint)
  • three elements of poetry from the the poems you selected should be identified and explained

5. Make your presentation to the class.

  • Conclude your presentation by explaining you selected this poem. 

 

6. Complete reflection activity located on the conclusion page of this WebQuest activity.

Evaluation
Use the rubric below  to evaluate your work. Please read and follow it carefully. This is the same rubric that I will use to assess your work.
Evaluation Rubric
  Beginning Good Well Developed Excellent Score
Following Directions Makes a minimal attempt to address each step. For example, incomplete graphic organizer, did not address three elements of poetry found in poem, did not finish presentation. Completed most steps in the directions including graphic organizer, additional research, did not identify 3 elements of poetry or incorrectly identified 1 or more elements of poetry, and presentation. Completed all steps correctly . Completed all steps thoroughly including reflection activity. 24
Research Visited some of the web sites and recorded some poet information for some of the poets. Visited all of the web sites and recorded some information for all poets. Visited all web sites, recorded at least five interesting facts for some poets. Visited all web sites, recorded at least five interesting facts for all poets, and completed further research using library resources using proper documentation. 28
Overall Presentation. Presentation is organized and visually appealing. Presentation is organized, visually appealing, and identifies 3 elements of poetry. Presentation is organized, visually appealing,and has smooth transitions. Powerpoint is not only visually appealing but additional information is given orally. Presentation is organized, visually appealing, and has smooth transitions.  is not merely read, but additional information is given orally and encourages audience participation. 24
Creativity Uses pictures to convey meaning. Uses pictures and audio to convey meaning. Uses pictures and audio to convey meaning in an interesting way. All elements work together to convey meaning and hold audience attention in an interesting or original way. 24
Total Score: 100
 
   
Conclusion

Once you have solved the case and viewed your classmates presentations, you will know why some poets are considered excellent poets. To conclude this activity, please answer the following reflection questions:

1. What was the most difficult part of this project for you?


2. What was the most important thing that you learned?


3. What did you learn that could have made your project better from view the projects of your classmates?


4. Did you feel you had enough time to complete the project? Explain.


5. What could have made this project better?


Thank you for your honest input.