Writing

Welcome to April-Canada’s National Poetry month!

Goals

  • generate, gather and organize words, phrasing and ideas to write a found poem

The Learning Task

Found poetry is created by taking words and phrases from a variety of ‘found sources’ and reframing them to create new meaning.

What is a ‘found source’? It can be anything around you! One method of writing found poetry is by finding interesting words and phrases from magazines, newspapers or even in your recycling bin (cardboard boxes, flyers) and arrange them to communicate what you are thinking and feeling. Maybe you’re feeling funny? Found poetry can be light-hearted or serious; it’s your choice.

Book spine poetry is a fun and a specific form of found poetry where you can create original poems using the titles written on the spines of books. You may add or delete words and punctuation to help with meaning.

Here is an example of book spine poetry (read the titles from top to bottom):

The children, 

All that matters

When we were alone

Picking up the pieces,

[is a]

State of wonder

Language is fun: It’s now your turn to find words and give them new meaning in a found poem! Consider taking others in your home on a word hunt too.

If you, or someone in your home, uses twitter, post an image of your poem and tag @wrdsb. We would love to read them!

Here are some Writer’s Notebook entries that intermediate students in the WRDSB have shared over the last few days:

“I am really thankful for my family right now and I am glad that everyone is safe.”

“I’m sure everyone is annoyed right now, I am too. It is unlike everyday activities. Although it is important that we be responsible during this time, like staying at home and social distancing etc.”

Daily! Don’t forget to engage with your Writer’s Notebook: Creating a Place for Reflection

Note: please see the information in this lesson for guidance.

If you would like to share your thinking, thoughts and wonderings with other students in the Waterloo Region District School Board as above, please share your journal entry using this form. Your entry may be chosen to share within our system. This is NOT a requirement and it is your personal choice to share.