Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: English/Language Arts: Creative Writing (3012)
Time Frame: Two to three class periods

Summary

Students will locate, read and analyze poems about nature and focus on techniques used. They will then write a report comparing the different techniques used by the poets. Focus Question: What techniques are used by poets writing poems about nature?

Databases/Other Resources

Literature Resource Center, Academic Onefile, Expanded Academic ASAP, Gale Powersearch

Procedures

The students will be introduced to nature poets chosen by the teacher-Thoreau, Keats, Wordsworth, Frost, Coleridge, and Shelley are some examples. They will be sensitized to some poetic techniques with some chosen poems. They will then locate some nature poems on their own and some articles that discuss poetic techniques. They will then write about the techniques they see in the poems they selected.

Steps

Steps for Teacher

• The teacher will explain the steps of the assignment.
• S/he will talk about taking notes from an article.
• S/he will discuss writing a paragraph comparing and contrasting information.
• S/he could introduce students to some of the major nature poets.
• S/he could present some books (after consulting the librarian) that contain nature poems--anthologies or collections of individual poets.

Steps for Librarian

• The librarian will locate books containing poems about nature.
• S/he will discuss searching articles in the TEL databases- and provide tips on keyword searching, evaluating, selecting, printing or downloading and citing sources.
• S/he may point out how not to use book reviews or performance reviews.
• S/he will help students use the databases to access articles.
• S/he may explain the difference between academic/scholarly journal articles and those from magazines.

Steps for Student

1. Access the Tennessee Electronic Library: www.tntel.info
   
2. Under the Search Box, select Browse by School Grade Level
3. Select High School Resources.
4. Select either Gale Powersearch, Academic Onefile, or Literature Resource Center.
   
5. Enter the search terms poetic techniques in the search box.
   
6. Evaluate results and select three articles. Take notes on several techniques.
   
7. Select Academic Onefile or Gale Powersearch, and enter the words nature and poem in the search box. If using Literature Resource Center do the same search. Click on the Primary Sources and Literary Works tab to find poems.
   
8. Read several poems and take notes on the techniques used.
   
9. Write a short paper comparing and contrasting the use of the techniques in the different poems.

Related Activities

1. Students will write their own nature poems using the techniques they studied.
2. Have student read some of Thoreau’s nature poems.

 

Content Standards

Creative Writing (3012) - Grades 9-12

 

Content Standard:

 

The student will be given the opportunity to develop this creative outlet through additional writing experiences.

Students often have the opportunity to experience expository writing in the classroom but have little time to develop imaginative writing.  Creative Writing allows them to promote self-expression, to explore various writing styles, and to strive for variety in diction, sentence structure, and format.

 

Learning Expectations/Grade Level Expectations

Creative Writing (3012) - Grades 9-12

Learning Expectations:

• The student will focus on the steps of the process of writing.
  
• The student will use available technology in the creative process.
  
• The student will utilize evaluation and revision skills.
  
• The student will develop fluency, logic, clarity and creativity.
  

 

Performance Indicators State

N/A for Creative Writing

 

Assessment

ISTE Computer Literacy and Usage Standards

3. Research and Information Fluency

Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:

a. plan strategies to guide inquiry.

b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.

c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.

d. process data and report results.

 

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner

1. Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.

2. Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge.

3. Share knowledge and participateethically andproductively asmembers of ourdemocratic society.

4. Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.