Poetry Mentors: Models for Reading & Writing Jean Kanzinger NWP TC 2012

Handouts & PPT at www.writerslocker.com See the “Poetry Workshop” Page

Poetry Serves Readers and Writers Reading Writing Decoding Poetry Takes Practice Mentors Dictation “What do you notice?” approach Writing Poetry Can Reinforce Understanding of the Genre Apply “noticings” from models Creative Expression Demonstrates depth of student understanding They must READ poetry to WRITE poetry, and WRITING poetry strengthens their READING ability.

Decoding Poetry Takes Practice Students need models In addition to hearing poetry often, they need practice examining the language, structure and ideas of poetry Frost Place Conference on Poetry & Teaching Lesson (sheet of paper) Dictation Start small – they will build endurance for it Follow with “What do you notice?” and “What is the most important word?” Write under the influence of the dictated poem.

Handwritten on Notebook Paper Dictation Exercise Handwritten on Notebook Paper

What do you notice?

The Red Wheelbarrow so much depends upon a red wheel barrow   so much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens. by William Carlos Williams, 1923

Whatever must be learned is always on the bottom, Learning Whatever must be learned is always on the bottom, as with the law of drawers and the necessary item. It isn’t pleasant, whatever they tell children, to turn out on the floor the folded things in them. By Kay Ryan, US Poet Laureate 2008-2010

5th Grade Imitation The Red Wheelbarrow (1923) by William Carlos Williams so much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens.

5th Grade Imitation The Red Wheelbarrow (1923) by William Carlos Williams so much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens.

5th Grade Imitation The Red Wheelbarrow (1923) by William Carlos Williams so much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens.

Types of Mentor Texts IDEA STRUCTURE CRAFT Example This mentor text’s unique or interesting idea inspires a fresh or unique idea from writers.   This mentor text provides a structure writers can “borrow” to write about their own unique ideas. This mentor text contains well- crafted writing techniques that can be analyzed and imitated by writers. “Where I’m From” by Georgia Ella Lyons Idea (How does a place contribute to who you are?) Structure (See template) Craft (“Noticings” exercise)

“Where I’m From” IDEA Mentor – “Show me a poem and I’ll show you a prompt” (8) – Baron Wormser, A Surge of Language STRUCTURE Mentor – Inspires copy-change CRAFT Mentor – Which devices/techniques could you feature for your students? Which would they be able to detect? Name?

Using Collections of Poems to Reinforce Core Lessons Poems & Noticings Handout