Week One: This week's videos explains why the writing advice to "show, don't tell" is especially important in poetry. I will post different emotions in the classroom. The students will respond with short scenes that describe that emotion. By the end of the lesson, students should post their own short poem crafted from their own chosen emotion without using the word anywhere in the description. I will use the description language clues to guess the emotion the poem describes. 

Week Two: Students will learn about "Remember" poems that use memory to create strong emotions and vivid images. Throughout the unit, I will post Remember poems for the students to read and review. The students will post their own Remember poem and receive constructive feedback from myself on the images and emotions they've created (specifically using the lessons learned in Week one). 

Week Three: Students will learn how to use a letter poem to express emotions of anger, frustration, or injustice. I will post letter poems for students to read for inspiration.
They will post their letter poem for continued feedback. 

Week Four: Students will learn to write an ode to an item that they enjoy and want to praise. I will post odes for the students to read and use for inspiration. By the end of class, students will post their ode for the final round of feedback. I ask students to be brave and record themselves reading their favorite poem that they wrote this week. While it is optional to post a video in the classroom, I will encourage students to take pride in the work they've accomplished and share it in a safe environment for a positive response.  

I have a Master's Degree in Writing for Children and Young Adults and recently spent time exchanging poetry with poets from my graduate school. I have always been drawn to reading and writing poems and novels-in-verse. I have poems published in the Young Adult Review Network, Proud to Be: Volume 3, The Louisville Review, and the Round Table Literary Journal. I love when my students want to learn more about poetic elements. This group is a super fun way to experiment with poetry in a safe environment and help young writers understand that they don't have to be scared of poetry. It isn't only for adults and it can be a really awesome way to express yourself. 

1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Homework
Frequency: included
Feedback: included
Details: Each week students have one video to watch, daily writing activities and one weekly poetry writing assignment. There are also weekly poems to read (or watch/listen to). 
Assessment
Frequency: included
Details: The more students post in the classroom, the more I'll be able to assess their understanding of the week's topic (like showing instead of telling). Students can always post questions in the classroom if they are unsure of the assignment or need help narrowing down a topic or a title. 
Grading
Frequency: included
Details: Please let me know if you require a grade for this class.