1. Coming-of-Age Experiences Catalog Poem
4.5
**Grab your textbooks!
***DGP 17

2. Quick Write!
In the Journal section of your binder, generate a list of childhood remembrances (places, people, events, activities, fond memories, harsh memories, memories of growing up).
E.g. Wide open field in my front yard, woods in my back yard, a forever playmate, barefoot, pets (cats and dogs), beach vacations, moving away from my first home, missing a whole month of school because of snow, family meals, baby sister…

3. Bell Ringer - Quick Write!
Now, take that list and turn it into a free write by responding to this prompt: How do these childhood experiences make you who you are as a person?
Because of my childhood experiences, I am adaptable, invisible, kind, hopeful, empathetic, loving, family-oriented, adventurous, a home-body.

4. 4.5 Purpose: To draft an autobiographical narrative
To examine the structure of a free-verse catalogue poem
To analyze a text for imagery and tone
To create a free-verse poem in the style of a published author

5. Nikki Giovanni

6. “Nikki Rosa” Read the poem silently
Purpose for reading: What do you learn about the speaker’s life from the poem?
Use MY NOTES area for notes!

7. “Nikki Rosa”
Read the poem aloud
Mark the text for powerful images

8. “Nikki Rosa”
What is Giovanni’s attitude toward her subject and/or readers? Why?
Why no punctuation?
What did she capitalize and why?

9. Look back at the poem and identify ideas and moments that give us insights or clues into the speaker’s nature or personality? Are they rituals? Holidays? etc.?
Pick one and label the diction and details that reveal the speaker’s nature or personality.
Can you connect any of your personal experiences to any of these?
“Nikki Rosa”

10. Your Turn!
Model Giovanni’s style (catalog) to create an original poem about your own life or coming-of-age experiences.
The poem should reveal aspects of your nature or personality through details