This document outlines the requirements for a poetry project assignment that is due on May 10, 2012. Students must select and analyze 10 poems, providing the title, author, and a 5-10 sentence introduction for each. They will present their poems creatively in a non-book format such as a box or aquarium. The project will be graded based on signatures, checkpoints, presentation, effort, originality, and analysis of each poem. A parent signature is required by April 3rd to receive full points.

1. Poetry Project
Due May 10, 2012
Objective:
The objective of this assignment is for you to read, analyze, and enjoy various types of poetry. As you
read more poetry, you will develop your own personal taste in poetry, and this project is designed to help
you define that taste.
Contents:
Your poetry project must include at least 10 examples of poetry you enjoy. Any type of poetry is fair
game. You may use reference books, poetry anthologies, the red textbook, the internet, and author’s
collections to find poems. Any topic, any author will be acceptable – within school appropriateness, of
course.
Guidelines for each entry:
At least 10 lines
Your introduction to the poem
The poem’s title and author
Without these, your entry will not count, and you do not earn your points.
As you select your entries, keep in mind:
You may include no more than 3 poems by any one author.
You may include no more than 3 poems written by yourself or another student.
You many include no more than 2 poems that we read in class.
Songs may NOT be included.
Introductions to each poem:
Before each poem, you will be required to write a brief introduction that explains why you like the poem
OR what you think the poem is about. You may want to write about what other types of people would
enjoy the poem, where you first discovered the poem, or what part of the poem interests you most. The
introduction need not be earth shattering literary criticism, but your honest evaluation of the poem.
Introductions must be between 5-10 sentences in length.

2. Sample Introduction:
―I included the poem ―We Real Cool‖ by Gwendolyn Brooks for two reasons. First of all, I know many
people who behave in the way the ―we‖ in the poem do. I’m always amazed by how uncool their ―cool‖
actions make them, and I’m always surprised that they seem so clueless about it. True cool people know
that leaving school and striking straight aren’t cool. Secondly, I just love the way it sounds. The poem
has so few words, but each one is so right for the subject. ―Lurking late‖ is exactly what gets done late
at night. The words are so right that I almost memorized it after reading it one time. Brooks hits her
subject and the language so dead on that I just had to include this poem in my project.‖
Presentation of the poetry project:
This poetry anthology will count as 3 grades. We will spend SOME class time working on this project,
but the majority will be done at home. Your project will be displayed in a creative 3D format. Examples
may include:
*box/bag of cookies *banana/apple tree
*aquarium *loaf of bread
*pizza *anything creative
****YOU MAY NOT MAKE A POETRY BOOK—that is NOT creative.
Rubric
Parent/student signature 5 points
Project check (April 17) 5 points
Presentation 10 points
Neatness/Effort 15 points
Originality 15 points
Points per poem 50 points
**Parental supervision and guidance is encouraged, but please allow the student to be responsible for the majority
of the project.
______________________________________________________________________________________
(Please review project requirements, sign, and return this portion by April 3, 2012)
I am aware that the Poetry Project is due no later than May 10, 2012 and will count for 3 grades.
Parent Signature: _________________________________ Date: _________________
Student Signature: ________________________________ Date: _________________
This form is due on April 3, 2012 for 5 points of the project grade. After that, no
points will be earned and silent lunch will be given until returned.