Poetry Mini-Unit

1. Poetry Mini-Unit

2. Terms to know… • Stanza- a collections of lines in a poem, like paragraphs in poetry • Rhyme scheme- the pattern of rhyming words in the poem • Structured poem- follows a strict pattern; limerick, haiku, sonnet, etc. • Meter- the rhythm of the syllables in the poem • Free-verse- poem with no rhyme scheme or strict pattern

3. Example Stanzas Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein There is a place where the sidewalk endsAnd before the street begins,And there the grass grows soft and white,And there the sun burns crimson bright,And there the moon-bird rests from his flightTo cool in the peppermint wind.Let us leave this place where the smoke blows blackAnd the dark street winds and bends.Past the pits where the asphalt flowers growWe shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,And watch where the chalk-white arrows goTo the place where the sidewalk ends.Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,For the children, they mark, and the children, they knowThe place where the sidewalk ends.

4. Rhyme Schemes: AABB • AABBwith 7 syllable meter Sally went into the store She nearly fell through the floor She saw the prices sky high And decided not to buy

5. Rhyme Scheme: ABAB • ABAB with a 6 syllable meter Walk with me to the park A peaceful day to roam I will not stay till dark By then I will be home

6. Rhyme Scheme: ABCB • ABCB On the beach I find myself Happily patrolling the shore I see many ships sailing about And wonder what they’re for

7. Poetry Assignment #1 • Think of all of the moments that have mattered so far in your life. Choose a moment that you have particularly strong feelings about. • Write a four stanza, 20line rhymed poem with any of the rhyme schemes we’ve studied so far. • AABB • ABAB • ABCB

8. Life is Fine by Langston HughesWhat rhyme scheme does he use? I went down to the river,I set down on the bank.I tried to think but couldn't,So I jumped in and sank.I came up once and hollered!I came up twice and cried!If that water hadn't a-been so coldI might've sunk and died.But it was Cold in that water! It was cold!I took the elevatorSixteen floors above the ground.I thought about my babyAnd thought I would jump down. I stood there and I hollered!I stood there and I cried!If it hadn't a-been so highI might've jumped and died.But it was High up there! It was high!So since I'm still here livin',I guess I will live on.I could've died for love--But for livin' I was bornThough you may hear me holler,And you may see me cry--I'll be dogged, sweet baby,If you gonna see me die.Life is fine! Life is fine

9. Free-Verse Poetry • No rhyme scheme, no metered rhythm My little pup, my labradoodle, with its curly yellow hair is the sweetest dog, the best companion, the kindest friend, I could ever have.

10. The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost And both that morning equally layIn leaves no step had trodden black.Oh, I kept the first for another day!Yet knowing how way leads on to way,I doubted if I should ever come back.I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth;Then took the other, as just as fair,And having perhaps the better claim,Because it was grassy and wanted wear;Though as for that the passing thereHad worn them really about the same,

11. Poetry Assignment #2 • Take a look at the third item on our Brainstormed list on the inside cover of your creative writing portfolio. • Use that item as the inspiration for a 16 lined, free verse poem with at least 150 words • Remember, free verse poetry does not have a rhyme scheme or any particular structure