Uncovering Answers

Introduction

Poetry is everywhere including the Internet and school library. 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 to know the name of an excellent poet, titles to some of his/her poems, and what poetic elements are used in the poems. 

Task

Your first task is to locate specific information on poetry terms, poets, and poems using the Internet. Then, you will use the information that you found on the Internet along with additional information from school and classroom library resources to create and present a multimedia presentation using PowerPoint. 

Process

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

  • Simile
  • Metaphor
  • Personification
  • Hyperbole
  • Alliteration
  • Hyperbole
  • Rhyme Scheme
  • Onomatopoeia
  • Haiku
  • Lyric
  • Limmerick
  • Connsonance
  • Narrative

2.  Next,  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.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.

d.  http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-m-nobody-who-are-you/  "I'm Nobody. Who are You?" by Emily Dickinson.  You can listen to this one or read it.  Find out more about Emily by clicking on the Biography button.

3. Now, select one of the poets above to do further research. Use the Internet and the school library to search for information about the poet you select.   You need to find the most important information about your poet of choice: Who they were, When and Where they lived, How they lived their life, and What influence they had on the world.

4.  Create a power point presentation with the poem of your choice from step number 2.  Point out the poetic devices found in it.  Include a short bio of the author answering the questions in step 3.

 

 

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?