Jaime Rodríguez teaches 10th grade English at a vocational high school in Puerto Rico. The school has three main buildings and enrolls about 1,300 students, 90% of whom are English language learners of basic proficiency. Rodríguez believes in constructivist learning theory and using models and strategies to help students improve their writing. One approach is to have students write concrete poems, where the words are arranged to form a shape related to the theme. Examples are provided, along with student samples, and instructions for writing a concrete poem about a love interest for Valentine's Day.

1. Poetry in the ClassroomJaime Rodríguez

2. A Little About MeBA English Literature majorTeaching English as a Second Language at the secondary level majorBilingual certificationMA in TESOL- Inter American University-San GermanI teach 10th grade English at Pedro PereaFajardo Vocational High School in Mayaguez.I have been teaching for 7 years.

3. Pedro PereaFajardo Vocational High SchoolMy school has three main buildings.

4. Pedro PereaFajardo Vocational High SchoolIt’s a second home to1,300 students.

5. 90% basic ELL’S and about 10% in between intermediate and advanced learners.Pedro PereaFajardo Vocational High School

6. Most students are mainly interested in finishing their vocational workshops.Pedro PereaFajardo Vocational High School

7. My classroom is located right beside a highway and a mall. My Classroom

8. This poster was done by a student who dropped out the next year. It reminds me of how fragile they are and of the brief time I have to make a positive impact on their lives.My Favorite Pic

9. On any given day in my classroom… I Provide students with alternative ways of performing tasks.I Provide students with models and strategies.If you write it, I will read it and give you feedback.

10. PhilosophyConstructivist Learning Theory-The student is the center of the educational process and the teacher functions as a mentor.Noam Chomsky-Universal Grammar

11. Approaches/Theories of WritingMultiple Intelligences Theory-Howard Gardner. The Prose Models Approach-Paul A. Escholz posits in Eight Approaches to Teaching Composition that you have to provide learners with the structure of writing and combine it with models from which students can learn.

12. DemoGrade Level: works for any level (as we will soon see)Objective: After the teacher presents and explains different examples of poetry, the students will write one poem using the discussed model of poetry.Time: 50 minutes here; in class up to two weeks

13. What is a Concrete Poem?A concrete poem is one in which the words make a shape. This picture shows an example. The poem is about a tree and the words are written so that they form the picture of a tree.

14. InstructionsFirst, you must pick a theme. (For example, let's say that you want to write a poem for your significant other for Valentine's Day. Your theme is love.2. Next, pick a shape.(Following our theme of love, you could pick a heart or a rose or even the letters: 'L' 'O' 'V' 'E’)

15. 3. Get out two pieces of paper. The one is for the final copy so place that aside. With the other piece, write your poem. Do not worry about the shape yet; just write your poem. Concrete poems don't have to rhyme.4. Not sure how to write a poem? Again, following our example, you are writing a love poem. Close your eyes and think about your wife or girlfriend. Think about what you love the most about them. Think about their qualities. Why you are attracted to them. Maybe find a picture of them and stare at that for inspiration. Whatever moves your heart will make a wonderful poem.

16. 5. Now that you have your poem written, draw with a pencil the shape you choose from step 3. Write you poem into the shape. You may have to play around with the shape so that your poem fits.6. Add a photo or other colorful designs if you wish to complete your concrete poem.

17. Example of Concrete poemsConcrete-make a picture using words.

18. ★A concrete poem is a collage of words, letters or symbols that creates meaning both by what it says and by how it looks. ★l(aby E.E. Cummingsl(aleaffalls)oneliness

19. More examples of Concrete Poems

20. Student Samples of Poems

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