Introducción a la poesía #5: ¡Escribe tu propia novela o antología de verso libre!

⭐New learners are welcome to join at any time!
⭐Subscriptions renew every Sunday (like all ongoing clubs.)
⭐Ask about sibling, friend, and loyalty discounts!
⭐Coupon codes below!
⭐Continue for as long as you want (and drop out when you need to.)
⭐Each week is independent!
⭐No prior knowledge is needed!

Similar to my popular "Introduction to Poetry #4: Poetry Circle - Make Friends, Laugh, Write & Share", we will explore poetry and poetic forms. However, in this club, we will focus entirely on free verse, which is the primary form of poetic expression today. 

WHY ARE WE FOCUSING EXCLUSIVELY ON FREE-VERSE POETRY?

The roots of free verse date back to at least 17th-century England and the 1880s in France. It was also beloved by Walt Whitman, who made it popular in the United States. Since then, it has become the primary form of poetic expression among adults, used for most professionally published poems in literary journals, contests, and anthologies. In contrast, many children's poets write rhyming poetry, although middle school poetry is increasingly moving away from rigid rules and structure. This middle school genre has especially boomed since 1997 with a focus on free verse novels. Some popular free verse novels are Out of the Dust (1997), Love That Dog (2001), The Poet Slave of Cuba (2006), Hate That Cat (2008), Sold (2020), Inside Out & Back Again (2011), Heartbeat (2012), Words With Wings (2013), Serafina's Promise (2013), Brown Girl Dreaming (2014), The Red Pencil (2015), Enchanted Air (2015), Moo (2016), Garvey's Choice (2016), Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess (2017), Forget Me Not (2017), Other Words for Home (2019), Alone (2021), Odder (2022), Singing With Elephants (2022), and Away (2025).

WHAT WILL WE DO EACH WEEK?

Our class meetings will begin with us reading a section of a free-verse novel or some free-verse poems. (Note that the club members should have access to the literature, as detailed in the schedule. Please message me if you have any questions about what we will be reading or how to obtain it.) We will discuss these passages, with a focus on narrative poetry, free verse poetry, poetic devices, figurative language, imagery, emotive language, diction, characterization, plot development, and themes. This is a chance for the learners to make observations they can apply to their writing since the latter part of the class will be spent planning or writing. Each learner will craft a free-verse novel or a free-verse anthology (a long-term project). Learners may also share their work as time permits. 

Only a few classes will differ from this reading-writing-sharing format, such as during dedicated sharing or workshop sessions.

I will also share supplemental resources in the classroom from time to time, such as information about writing contests, suggested poems for supplemental reading, and YouTube videos (these links will not lead the learners to YouTube since they will be exclusively in our classroom).

My classes are relaxed and creative. While learners must already be able to write independently for this class, I am a very encouraging teacher, and I will celebrate each learner! I will also guide learners if or when needed.

▶️$1 trial class code! BELLGFREEVERSE19
▶️$10 class in January 2025 - BELLGFEBFREE10
▶️$10 class in February 2025 - BELLGMARCHFREE10
▶️$10 class in March 2025 - BELLGAPRILFREE10
▶️$10 class in February 2025 - BELLGMAYFREE10
▶️$10 class in March 2025 - BELLGJUNEFREE10
▶️$10 class in February 2025 - BELLGJULYFREE10
▶️$10 class in March 2025 - BELLGAUGFREE10

▶️Due to rising costs and lower enrollment, I have had to increase my prices. This is consistent with Outschool's current recommendations. However, I am dedicated to finding a solution for all families! Do contact me if your learner would like to take my class and you need a discount. I can set up pay-what-you-can plans.

▶️If you are able to pay the current fee, I thank you for your support since I work hard to provide creative, inspiring content while balancing the challenges of living with disability and chronic illness. Thank you!

SCHEDULE:

🕮✎ The Week of March 16th = The September, October, and November sections of Love That Dog by Sharon Creech (Narrative Poetry)

We will read and discuss the September, October, and November sections of Love That Dog by Sharon Creech together in class as we explore the features of a free verse novel and narrative poetry. Then, you will decide on a topic or a theme for your free verse novel and begin planning or writing.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Love That Dog.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class. They may catch up on the previous readings at any point.

🕮✎ The Week of March 23rd = The December, January, and February sections of Love That Dog by Sharon Creech (Characterization)

We will read and discuss the December, January, and February sections of Love That Dog by Sharon Creech together in class as we explore the characterization. Then, you will continue planning or writing your free verse novel.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Love That Dog.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class. They may catch up on the previous readings at any point.

🕮✎ The Week of March 30th = The March and April sections of Love That Dog by Sharon Creech (Narrative Development & Themes)

We will read and discuss the March and April sections of Love That Dog by Sharon Creech together in class as we discuss the themes and deeper elements of the narrative. Then, you will continue planning or writing your free verse novel.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Love That Dog.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class. They may catch up on the previous readings at any point.

🕮✎ The Week of April 6th = The May and June sections of Love That Dog by Sharon Creech (The Conclusion & Themes)

We will read and discuss the May and June sections of Love That Dog by Sharon Creech in class together as we discuss the themes and the conclusion. Then, you will continue planning or writing your free verse novel.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Love That Dog.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class. They may catch up on the previous readings at any point.

⭐✎ The Weeks of April 13th through May 18th = We will not meet during this period, but continue crafting your free verse novel! We will have our Share and Reveal Days on May 25th and June 1st!

⭐✎ The Week of May 25th = Share Your Free Verse Novels (whether they are completed or works in progress)

*There is no reading this week, but prepare a copy of Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat, which we will begin in two weeks.
*New learners are welcome to listen and learn or to share poetry they've been writing.

⭐✎ The Week of June 1st = Share Your Free Verse Novels (whether they are completed or works in progress)

*There is no reading this week, but prepare a copy of Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat, which we will begin next week.
*New learners are welcome to listen and learn or to share poetry they've been writing.

🕮✎ The Week of June 8th = The September 12th to October 16th Entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech (Alliteration)

We will read and discuss the September 12th through October 16th entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech together in class as we explore the features of a free verse novel and the impact of alliteration. Then, you will spend time writing your free verse novel.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class.

🕮✎ The Week of June 15th = The October 19th to November 13th Enries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech (Imagery & Onomatopoeia)

We will read and discuss the October 19th through November 13th entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech in class together as we focus on the impact of imagery and onomatopoeia. Then, you will spend time writing your free verse novel.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class. They may catch up on the previous readings at any point.

🕮✎ The Week of June 22nd= The November 20th to December 6th Entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech (Rhythm Within Freedom with Comparative Poetic Forms)

We will read and discuss the November 20th to December 6th entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech in class together as we focus on ways of achieving rhythm. Then, you will spend time writing your free verse novel.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class. They may catch up on the previous readings at any point.

🕮✎ The Week of June 29th = The December 11th to December 19th Entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech (Personification, Audience, and Themes)

We will read and discuss the November 20th to December 6th entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech in class together as we focus on personification and the poet's focus, the audience, and the poet's message (themes). Then, you will spend time writing your free verse novel.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class. They may catch up on the previous readings at any point.

🕮✎ The Week of July 6th = The December 20th to January 8th Entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech (Assonance & Consonance)

We will read and discuss the December 20th to January 8th entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech in class together as we focus on assonance and consonance. Then, you will spend time writing your free verse novel.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class. They may catch up on the previous readings at any point.

🕮✎ The Week of July 13th = The January 10th to January 31st Entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech (Simile & Metaphor)

We will read and discuss the January 10th through January 31st entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech in class together as we focus on simile and metaphor. Then, you will spend time writing your free verse novel.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class. They may catch up on the previous readings at any point.

🕮✎ The Week of July 20th = The February 7th to February 25th Entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech (Structure, Shape, Line Breaks & Enjambment)

We will read and discuss the February 7th through February 25th entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech in class together as we focus on structure, shape, line breaks, and enjambment. Then, you will spend time writing your free verse novel.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class. They may catch up on the previous readings at any point.

🕮✎ The Week of July 27th = The February 28th to March 14th  Entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech (Titles, Diction, Characterization & Voice)

We will read and discuss the February 7th through February 25th entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech in class together as we focus on titles, diction, characterization, and voice. Then, you will spend time writing your free verse novel.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class. They may catch up on the previous readings at any point.

🕮✎ The Week of August 3rd = The March 21st to April 11th Entries of  Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech (Repetition)

We will read and discuss the March 21st to April 11th entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech in class together as we focus on repetition. Then, you will spend time writing your free verse novel.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class. They may catch up on the previous readings at any point.

🕮✎ The Week of August 3rd = The April 18th to June 5th of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech (The Narrative)

We will read and discuss the April 18th to June 5th entries of Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech in class together as we focus on the narrative. Then, you will spend time writing your free verse novel.

*Each learner should have a copy of Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat.
*New learners are welcome as they may begin writing their free verse novel at any point with the understanding that we will be reading the assigned sections during class. They may catch up on the previous readings at any point.

FUTURE FREE-VERSE NOVELS:

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (1997)
The Poet Slave of Cuba by Margarita Engle (2006)
Sold by Patricia McCormick (2020)
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai (2011)
Heartbeat by Sharon Creech (2012)
Words With Wings by Nikki Grimes (2013)
Serafina's Promise by Ann E. Burg (2013)
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (2014)
The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney (2015)
Enchanted Air by Margarita Engle (2015)
Moo by Sharon Creech (2016)
Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes (2016)
Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green (2017)
Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry (2017)
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga (2019)
Alone by Megan E. Freeman (2021)
Odder by Katherine Applegate (2022)
Singing With Elephants by Margarita Engle (2022)
Away by Megan E. Freeman (2025)