1. Free Verse Poetry

2. Can you write a paragraph
Can you write a paragraph? It can be about any topic of interest to you…

3. When I try to teach students poetry, what they really don’t understand is that it is inside them all the time. They moan and groan, they rhyme, and try to be creative, when all they really need to do is put down their thoughts on paper. Then turn it into prose. Presto! A poem, a song, is born about their life.

4. Take your paragraph and think about where you naturally breath or pause…
When I try to teach students poetry, what they really don’t understand is that it is inside them all the time. They moan and groan, they rhyme, and try to be creative, when all they really need to do is put down their thoughts on paper. Then turn it into prose. Presto! A poem, a song, is born about their life.

5. Place a slash (/) after each place where you think a new line might start.
When I try to teach students poetry, what they really don’t understand is that it is inside them all the time. They moan and groan, they rhyme, and try to be creative, when all they really need to do is put down their thoughts on paper. Then turn it into prose. Presto! A poem, a song, is born about their life.

6. When I try to teach students poetry, / what they really don’t understand / is that it is inside them all the time. / They moan / and groan, / they rhyme, / and try to be creative, / when all they really need to do / is put down their thoughts on paper. / Then turn it into prose. / Presto! / A poem, / a song, is born / about their life.

7. Next, re-write the poem, making a new line each time there is a slash.
When I try to teach students poetry,/
what they really don’t understand /
is that it is inside them all the time. /
They moan /
and groan, /
they rhyme, /
and try to be creative, /
when all they really need to do /
is put down their thoughts on paper. /
Then turn it into prose. /
Presto! /
A poem, /
a song, is born /
about their life.

8. ~ Edit your poem ~ Does it sound right
~ Edit your poem ~ Does it sound right? Do you need to change any lines, words, or punctuation?

9. When I try to teach students poetry, what they really don’t understand
is that it is inside them all the time.
They moan
and groan,
they rhyme .
and try to be creative,
when all they really need to do
is put down their thoughts on paper.
Then turn it into prose.
Presto!
A poem,
a song, is born
about their life.
I’m not sure if “it” is understood, maybe I’ll change it to “the music”, or “Poetry”
I think I’ll move part of this line down

10. You might need to think of several and then choose your favorite.
Add a title…
You might need to think of several and then choose your favorite.

11. Teaching Poetry AND… When I try to teach students poetry,
what they really don’t understand
is that the music is inside them all the time.
They moan
and groan,
they rhyme,
and try to be creative,
when all they really need to do
is put down their thoughts on paper.
Then turn it into prose.
Presto!
A poem,
a song,
is born
about their life.
AND…

12. ALWAYS…
Put your name on your piece…and
Date your work!!!

13. Teaching Poetry When I try to teach students poetry,
what they really don’t understand
is that the music is inside them all the time.
They moan
and groan,
they rhyme,
and try to be creative,
when all they really need to do
is put down their thoughts on paper.
Then turn it into prose.
Presto!
A poem,
a song,
is born
about their life.
Mrs. Deardorff
January 11, 2008

14. Now – you try it…. Write a paragraph
Add your slashes where you pause/breathe
Re-write it as a poem
Edit
Do your final draft
Date, title, and place the author on the page