Poetry Research Project

Introduction

Hello 8th grade English! Navigate this WebQuest as you complete your final project. Here, I will list the rubric, guidelines, and instructions for the project. You will be working with 2-3 people to create a research presentation on your chosen poem. 

Task

Pick ONE of the following poems with your group to conduct research on for your poetry presentation. 

1. "[Buffalo Bill's]" by E. E. Cummings 

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47244/buffalo-bill-s

2. "Let Evening Come" by Jane Kenyon 

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46431/let-evening-come

3. "Gretel in Darkness" by Louise Gluck 

https://hamiltoncs.org/poetry204/uncategorized/gretel-in-darkness-by-louise-gluck/

4. "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost 

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/42891/stopping-by-woods-on-a-snowy-evening

5. "Metaphors" by Sylvia Path 

https://genius.com/Sylvia-plath-metaphors-annotated

6. "Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou 

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48989/caged-bird

7. "This is Just to Say" by William Williams 

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/56159/this-is-just-to-say

8. "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46461/those-winter-sundays

 

Process

Now that you have picked a poem, create a shared Google Slides presentation with your group members and being conducting research on your poem. In your presentation you must include:

1. Background information on the poet (where they were born, when they lived and wrote poetry, their cultural background, why they become a poet, the type or style of poetry that they wrote, etc.)

2. Two pictures (one must be of the poet)

3. An analysis of the poem and it's poetic devices (you must include as least three devices)

4. The poem's meter, syllabic count, and rhyme scheme

5. An analysis of the poem's meaning 

6. The subject matter of the poem

7. The poem's setting 

8. The narrator or POV of the poem

**** Remember to abide by our 6x6 rule when creating presentations: No more than 6 bullet points per slide and no more than 6 words per bullet point.

Evaluation

Rubrics: Your project will be graded mainly on how meaningful you make it. Pick something you will enjoy and are passionate about - have fun with it! Use this rubric as a guideline: (project is out of 100pts)

 

Project Rubric                         Project Option #: _____________   Student Name: ___________________________

Points

10

8

6

4

2

0

Total

Explanation

In-Depth: Fully supported, verified, and justified evidence; deep and broad. Expands upon what was taught.

Developed: Makes subtle connections; well supported by argument and evidence, but lacks deep

thought. 

Systematic: There is supported theory, but insufficient or inadequate evidence. Little to no deep thought.

Weak: An incomplete account with limited support, argument, or data.

Naive: Superficial account; sketchy account of facts or borrowed ideas.

Incomplete

 

Meaning

Insightful: Student makes the project their own. A powerful interpretation of the project's significance.

Revealing: Somewhat thoughtful interpretation of the project's significance.

Perceptive: Reasonable interpretation or analysis of the project's significance.

Interpreted: a Plausible interpretation of the project's significance.

Literal: Mechanical translation with little or no interpretation; a restatement of what was taught or said. 

Incomplete

 

Effectiveness

Masterful: Fluent, flexible, and efficient, able to use knowledge and skills well; shows the transfer of knowledge.

Able: Competent in using knowledge and skill, but little transfer of knowledge.

Limited: Limited but growing ability to transfer knowledge; produced a somewhat effective project.

Weak: Limited production of the desired result. Lacking in the transfer of knowledge.

Naive: Little to no production of the desired result. No transfer of knowledge.

Incomplete

 

Perspective

Insightful and Coherent: Thoughtful viewpoint; effectively critiques and encompasses other plausible perspectives.

Thorough: Developed and coordinated critical view; makes own view more plausible by a fair consideration of other perspectives.

Aware: A comprehensive look at major points of view and shows plausibility to other points of view, but does not see the worth in each perspective.

Uncritical: Knows of different points of view, but only validates a certain perspective.

Lacking: Unaware of differing points of view, prone to overlook or ignore other perspectives; has difficulty imagining other ways of seeing things.

Incomplete

 

Empathy

Mature: Disciplined, disposed, and able to see and value what others see and feel well.

Sensitive: Open to the unfamiliar or different; able to see the value in different viewpoints.

Aware: Knows and feels that others see and feel differently and is somewhat able to empathize with others. 

Decentering: Has some capacity to walk in others' shoes, but still is primarily limited to own view.

Egocentric: Has little or no empathy; sees things through own ideas and feelings.

Incomplete

 

Reflectiveness

Wise: Deeply aware of the boundaries of own and others’ understandings; able and willing to act on new understandings.

Thoughtful: Aware of own ignorance and that of others; hesitant but capable of acting on new understandings.

Aware: Generally aware of what they do and do not understand; is hesitant to act on new understandings.

Weak: Generally unaware of the bounds of own understanding; hesitant to act on new understandings.

Unreflective: Does not wish to seek new understandings. Aggressive and withholding.

Incomplete

 

Clarity

Crystal clear: Thoughtful organization, easy to read.

Good: Good organization and structure, but a few mistakes.

Navigable: Somewhat good organization; mistakes are noticeable

Weak: Little organization, mistakes hinder navigation.

Naive: Little to no organization of thought; student shows less-than-mediocre effort

Incomplete

 
           

Total:

(___/70)

 

 

  Group Presentation Day Rubric                                            Student Name: _____________________

Presentation Requirements

Points

Points

Student’s project is 4-5 minutes

4-5 minutes = 10 pts

Over 5 minutes = 8pts

Under 4 minutes = 6 pts

Over 6 minutes = 4pts

Under 3 minutes  = 2 pts

Over 7 minutes or under 2 minutes = 0pts

 

Presentation includes every aspect listed to include in the presentation (analysis of poem, meter, syllabic count, rhyme, narrator, setting, subject matter, and POV, explanation of the poem, 2 pictures, and at least 3 poetic devices.)

Yes= 10 pts

Proficient=  8 pts

Adequate= 6 pts

Somewhat = 4 pts

Weak = 2 pts

None = 0 pts

 

Every student contributes equally to the presentation and talks an equal amount of time. 

Yes= 10 pts

Proficient=  8 pts

Adequate= 6 pts

Somewhat = 4 pts

Weak = 2 pts

No = 0pts

 
 

                                                                                    Total:

(_____/30)

Conclusion

Now that you have completed your Google Slides Presenation and research, practice with your group before presenting. Your presentation must be 4-5 minutes and each group-member must have an equal amount of talking time during the presentation. 

 

Credits

Poetry Foundation

Teacher Page

Hanna Ervasti 

Franklin Middle School 

8th Grade Enlish 

ervastihp19@gcc.edu