This one-time class combines students' love of dogs with developing writing skills while thinking about winter. Many students do not like planning and writing poetry, but they will have fun writing this free verse poem; it won’t seem like work! 

Guided by an experienced and certified English teacher who also loves dogs, students will enjoy thinking about a dog's experience of playing in snow in order to write this free verse poem.

The class will start will a brief greeting and dog-related activity to get students comfortable. Next students will learn about (for some review)  poetry form/style and poetic figurative language including onomatopoeia, imagery and alliteration. Students with then discuss what free verse poetry is and examine a poem sample. Following this, students will brainstorm about a dog's experience of playing in the snow and then use their 'planning' handouts provided to plan and write their own poems. If there is time and students would like, they will share their poems at the end of class. (Students are welcome to send me their poems after class for feedback). 

I am a very positive and encouraging teacher (with 20 years experience) and teach using a variety of methods that appeal to both visual and linguistic learners. This class will use many approaches for learning including discussion, slides, video clips and worksheets and students will receive feedback throughout. 

Students DO NOT need to have any prior knowledge about cats or poetry. Students taking this class are strongly encouraged to have their cameras on as it develops students' intrapersonal skills and I can more effectively teach and respond to students' non-verbal cues.

Please have the worksheet for the class printed and ready to use at the start of class. 

You are welcome to request another time for this class if it does not work for your schedule or request a private one-on-one class.