1. Topic-
Free Verse Poetry
 
2. Content-
Walt Whitman was arguably the greatest American writer of free verse poetry. We will examine what free verse is and is not. I'll read a short poem of Whitman's to illustrate the rules (or lack thereof) of free verse poetry. The importance of writing and expressing thoughts will be discussed and then we, as a class will write our own free verse poem.
 
3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-
1. Understanding of what free verse poetry is.
2. Knowledge of Walt Whitman.
3. Comfort in writing a personal free verse poem.
 
4. Objectives-
1. Class participation
2. Energy level
3. Creativity in classroom group writing assignment.
 
5. Materials and Aids-
2 Leaves of Grass books for students to Thumb through. Quote by Henry David Thoreau regarding free verse poetry
 
6. Procedures/Methods-

A. Introduction-

1. Introduce free verse poetry
2. What is free verse?
3. Who are free verse artists?
 

B. Development-

1. Read "A Clear Midnight" by Whitman.
2. Introduce Class Activity.
3. Rules of free verse
 

C. Practice-

1. Write three sentences about family.
2. Break paragraph up to sound like the poetic expression I am trying to get across
 

D. Independent Practice-

1. Use my example to do the same. It can be two to four sentences long.
2. Break paragraph up to your own liking to express what you feel about your own family.
3. March to the beat of YOUR own drum
 

E. Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction)-

1. Allow students to audio record their "writing" process to finished poem.
 

F. Checking for understanding-

1. Ask for one volunteer to read aloud.
2. Assign homework - topic is beauty.
 

G. Closure-

1. Re-cap free verse
2. Re-cap homework assignment
 

This Lesson Plan is available at (www.teacherjet.com)