An Introduction to Poetry
In this 2 session class students will receive a brief introduction to some of the more famous poets from Massachusetts (the class instructor's home state), with an emphasis on Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost
What's included
2 live meetings
1 in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
Beginner Level
We will have a pretty big emphasis on the two poets listed above; Dickinson and Frost. The class is structured around a series of poems from the two (selected for content and brevity). Students will practice looking at them from a variety of viewpoints. The wonderful thing about poetry is that while in the strictest academic sense there is a "right" way to interpret, poetry leaves itself so open that there is plenty of space for polite disagreement and discussion. Learners will listen to clips of readings, view the poems in a pre-constructed slideshow, and at the end try their hand at a favorite activity of mine for my Undergraduates, where a Dickinson poem is presented and students attempt to unscramble the lines back into their original format.
Learning Goals
Come away with an appreciation for Massachusetts poetryLearn something about self expression and how to communicate emotions that otherwise might be hard to articulate
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Dickinson, while advanced in some aspects in terms of content, had produced enough poetry that there should be no issues in terms of age-related content for the range I have selected. The poems have been chosen for ease of access, ease of understanding, and brevity.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
The lesson is designed to be totally self contained, everything being provided for either via links to YouTube performances or else text embedded directly into the presentation.
Joined May, 2023
Teacher expertise and credentials
My bachelors degree in English lit allows a broad understanding of this kind of poetry, as well as extensive time spent in the JFK Museum near my campus (which has a small Robert Frost section within its archives). Study has also been done at the graduate level while I pursue my masters of english educationReviews
Live Group Class
$7
weekly or $14 for 2 classes1x per week, 2 weeks
30 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
3-6 learners per class
