Six-Room Poem (enhancing description, detail, imagery) Lesson plan by Jerri Weitzel & Tara Humphreys • Bluegrass Writing Project • www.bgwp.org (with minor revisions by teachers at GVWP Writing & Technology Workshop, 2007)

Rationale: "We all have images and memories we hold inside; writing poems allows us to explore them." –Georgia Heard What prerequisite skills are needed in order to garner a stand-alone poem? ! previous experiences with guided imagery ! exposure to many types of poetry ! poetic elements ! sensory details ! playing with words and different poetic forms

Procedure: (teacher models the process by writing along with the students) The organizer is a simple grid with 6 boxes; each box will be called a “room.” – You may create the organizer by folding a paper into 8 rectangles; use the top two spaces for title and name. Room 1: Think of something in your life you have cared deeply about – whatever is in your heart or mind... It could be a memory, something you once saw that stayed with you, a feeling, or a thought. When you have an idea, close your eyes and try to picture it. Watch it until it is clear as a photograph in your mind. Notice all the details about it, and try to describe it as accurately as you can. Don't think about writing a poem, just try to describe it and write your description in the first box. Room 2: I want you to look at the same image as in the first room, just focus on the quality of light. For example, is the sun bright or is it a dull, flat day? Are there any shadows? If it is unclear what the light is like you might have to use some poetic license and make it up. You can also describe colors. For example, if your image is the stars, describe their light – shiny, sparkling, red-and-blue. Room 3: In room 3, picture the same image and focus only on the sounds: Are there any voices? Rustling of leaves? Sound of rain? If it is silent, think about it – what kind of silent? Empty? Lonely? Peaceful? Room 4: In room number 4, I want you to write down any questions you have about the image. Anything you want to know more about? Or wonder about? Room 5: In room 5, write down any feelings you have about this same image. Room 6: Finally, in room number 6, look over the five rooms and select one word, or a few words, a phrase, a line, a sentence that feels important and repeat it three times. Allow time for students to read what they have written in the six rooms, then ask them to use the images to create a poem.

Possible Adaptations: ! K-1st: three rooms incorporating color, shape, etc. ! Early elementary four boxes modeled ! Middle school: start with six move to eight rooms ! Add roofline to create house-shaped organizer ! Begin drafting the poem as you fill each room

Extension: Suggestions for writing in additional rooms: ! Think of three different metaphors or similes to describe the image ! Describe any smells (for example: earthy, sweet, damp) ! Describe what the image might feel like if you touched it. ! Describe what the image might taste like. ! Take a favorite line or a quote from another poem or book and write that in one of the rooms to weave into the poem. ! If your image could speak what would it say? How would it sound? What would its voice be like? ! Revisit the image after 1-2 days and reflect on how you feel about the image at that time.

Visual Focus: Describe the Image

Light

Sound

Questions

Feelings

Important Word or Phrase

Source: Awakening the Heart by Georgia Heard