Grade 10: The Drum (due before class Wednesday, February 2nd)

Read Nikki Giovanni's poem "The Drum." Please explain the meaning of the metaphor present in the poem. Write a proper paragraph like we have been practicing, using quotations from the poem in your explanation. Then, comment on someone else's explanation. Your comment should provide your classmate with several good things about the response and several things to improve.

Grade 8: The Drum (due before class Wednesday, February 2nd)

Read the poem "The Drum" by Nikki Giovanni. Explain how the speaker uses an extended metaphor to communicate the message. Please make sure you write a complete, well-written paragraph like we have been practicing!

After your paragraph, explain whether or not there is a character in your literature circle who reminds you of the speaker in "The Drum." If so, explain why!

Grade 10 and Grade 8: Poetry (Due before Monday, January 31st)

Choose one of the two poems posted here. Explain how the comparison (simile, metaphor, personification, etc.) present in the poem helps express its meaning. Remember that your opening sentence should be like your thesis: it should state your opinion or idea and include the title of the poem and its author.

Then, compose your own poem using similes, metaphors, and/or personification. The topic of the poem is up to you, but the figurative language must be both present and purposeful!

Grade 10: Poetry Response (Due before class Thursday, January 27)

Please go back to our last blog assignment. Remember? Everyone chose a poem and identified the speaker, explained what was going on, and pointed out something unusual or interesting about the poem. The assignment ended with a question posed by the student who posted. Please now go back and respond to at least two different posts. For this response, you may answer someone's question, comment on his or her explanation, or present your own analysis of the poem. Post your response on that blog post, not this one!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Grade 8: Poetry homework (Due before Monday, January 17th)

Browse some poetry sites online. Find a poem that you find interesting. Copy and paste that poem onto the blog (don't forget to include the title and poet's name!). Them, write a brief paragraph explaining who the speaker is, what's going on in the poem, and what you find unusual about the poem. Finally, pose a question to the rest of the class about the poem you found.

Not sure where to start looking? Check out these websites!
http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/
http://www.poetry-online.org/
http://www.poetry.org/
http://www.poetrysoup.com/

Grade 10: Poetry (Due before Monday, January 17th)

Browse some poetry sites online. Find a poem that you find interesting. Copy and paste that poem onto the blog (don't forget to include the title and poet's name!). Then, write a brief paragraph explaining who the speaker is, what's going on in the poem, and what you find unusual about the poem. Finally, pose a question to the rest of the class about the poem you found.

Not sure where to start looking? Check out these websites!
http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/
http://www.poetry-online.org/
http://www.poetry.org/
http://www.poetrysoup.com/