Course Sample for Our Introducing the Many Faces of Poetry Homeschool Language Arts Course
Week 1: What Is Poetry?
Poetry is a type of literature or artistic writing that attempts to stir a reader’s imagination or emotion.
Make it personal: Poetry can be a haven, a voice to the voiceless, a joyful song to the heavy hearted, and a way to grip your heart for the glory of God. It is a tool used in the Word of God to exemplify an extension of God’s creativity. Poetry can also be in the form of a song.
Look around in nature and you will see the amount of detail and creativity the Creator showed in the things He created. Words are not an exception. Take a look at the first words spoken at creation: “Let there be light, and there was light.” God could have simply thought it, and it would have happened, but He chose to speak light into being with words.
In the next twenty weeks, we will explore many types of poetry. My hope is that you will have at least one favorite form of poetry by end of this course.
- Day 1 Activity:
- Day 2 Activity:
- Review definition: Poetry is a type of literature or artistic writing that attempts to stir a reader’s imagination or emotion.
- Complete the poetic terms matching activity on the next page.
Poetry Terms:
Write the letter of the correct match next to each problem. The words with * will be directly incorporated in this class.
- _____ Lyric
- _____ Haiku*
- _____ Cinquain
- _____ Limerick
- _____ Free-Verse*
- _____ Ballard
- _____ Sonnet*
- _____ Hyperbole
- _____ Meter*
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- intentionally exaggerated figures of speech
- poetry written without a regular rhyme scheme, meter, or form
- poem that expresses personal feelings or thoughts of the speaker
- brief poem with three lines—1st line, 5 syllables; 2nd, 7; 3rd, 5
- five-line stanza
- poem that tells a story in a simple verse form
- short lyric poem composed in iambic pentameter, with a twist in meaning, known as a “turn,” toward the end.
- humorous poem with five lines and a strong rhythm
- rhythm of syllables in a line of verse or in a stanza of a poem
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- Day 3 Activity:
- Why use poetry/poetic devices? Poets, songwriters, and writers in general enjoy using poetry and poetic devices to enhance their work. Fill in the examples of how poetry/poetic devices can be used below.
- Tell a story
- Express a feeling or mood
- Represent a thought or idea
- Describe and reveal a scene
- Day 4 Activity:
- Memorization: A good skill to have is memorization. Memorization means to commit to memory, or learn by heart. This skill helps promote creativity and a higher level of retention. Practice the poem below and be ready to recite it at the end of the week.
“UNBREAKABLE”
By Belinda Van Rensburg
That evil, wily, ancient snake
Truly believes that he can take
Away my faith; my joy; my peace:
That he can break me piece by piece.
he hits me high
he hits me low
he hits me fast
he hits me slow |
he hits me left
he hits me right
But I will not give up the fight!
I will not faint; I will not fall –
For God will help me to stand tall:
He’ll lift me up and make me strong
And I will praise Him all day long. |