1. Poetry
Day 1

2. Hopefully, this is a reminder…
Metaphor
A comparison between essentially unlike things without an explicitly comparative word such as like or as
Examples:
“My love is a red, red rose” (Robert Burns)
"Life is a journey. Enjoy the Ride.” (Nissan)
Simile
A figure of speech involving a comparison between unlike things using like, as, or as though
He growled like a bear
Still as a stone
Built like a tank

3. How to Eat a Poem by Eve Merriam
Don't be polite. Bite in. Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice that may run down your chin. It is ready and ripe now, whenever you are. You do not need a knife or fork or spoon or plate or napkin or tablecloth. For there is no core or stem or rind or pit or seed or skin to throw away.

4. Metaphor and Simile Practice
Create a Metaphor for the following words:
Create a Simile for the following words:
Chili Pepper
Lion
Book
Stone
School
Sword
Sun
Heart
Scarecrow
English
Be creative! Compare these words to something that might not be expected.
We will be sharing these with our neighbors and then the class very soon.

5. Introduction to Poetry by Billy Collins
I ask them to take a poem and hold it up to the light like a color slide or press an ear against its hive I say drop a mouse into a poem and watch him probe his way out, or walk inside the poem's room and feel the walls for a light switch. I want them to waterski across the surface of a poem waving at the author's name on the shore. But all they want to do is tie the poem to a chair with a rope and torture a confession out of it. They begin beating it with a hose to find out what it really means.

6. Reading and Analyzing Poetry
Read it Again
Each time you read a poem it will bring you either more understanding or more questions. Both can be helpful.
Read it Aloud
Sometimes you just need to hear how the words sound.
Don’t Skim
Poets (unlike other writers) have limited space. Therefore almost every word in a poem is significant.
Be Patient
Poetry is difficult at times. Don’t give up on yourself.
Become an Archaeologist
Dig until you have found what may have been lost over time.
Special meanings, symbolism, imagery, rhythm, rhyme, etc.
Think Like a Poet
Cover the next line and see if what comes is expected or if the poet has made an unexpected turn
Write it Out
Take notes on the poem, ask questions, draw arrows to link words or ideas
Never be Intimidated
Poetry is about freedom and exposing yourself to new things. In fact, if you find yourself stuck in a poem, just remember that the poet, 9 times out of 10, was a bit of a rebel and was trying to make his friends look at life in a completely different way.

7. Poet Focus
N. Scott momaday

8. Poet Focus
Pat mora