Exploring the Elements of Poetry

IntroductionTaskResourcesEvaluationConclusionStandards

A WebQuest for 6th Grade (Reading)

Designed by – Cindy Gregory

IntroductionPoetry can sometimes seem like it’s an

encrypted message from outer space.

Throughout the next few days, you will work your way through this webquest to learn to decipher this secret code. This webquest will guide you to explore several different websites that will help you learn to be a better reader and thinker. You will be a step closer to understanding poetry.

Your TaskThe first step in understanding the secret

code of poetry is looking into the language in which it is written. You will explore several elements of poetry: mood, tone, imagery, personification, simile, alliteration, onomatopoeia, assonance, refrain, and rhyme scheme. Follow the instructions that follow on the next few slides and write your responses on your answer sheet.

Task 1: Mood, Metaphor, ToneMood Metaphor Tone

The feeling a poem creates for the reader

An implied comparison between 2 objects or ideas

The attitude a poet takes toward a subject

Go to Poem Hunter to read the poem Democracy, by Langston Hughes.1.What is an example of a metaphor in this poem?2.How would you describe the mood of the poem?3.How would you describe the author’s tone? Explain.4.Define democracy. Why do you think Langston Hughes wrote this poem in 1949?

Task 2: Alliteration, Refrain, and Rhyme Scheme

Alliteration Refrain Rhyme Scheme

The repetition of an initial (beginning) consonant sound in two or more words near one another

The repetition of one or more phrases or lines usually at the end of each stanza. Similar to the chorus of a song.

The pattern in which the end rhyme occurs. Example:Continuous as the stars that shine (A)And twinkle on the milky way (B)They stretched in never ending line (A)Along the margin of a bay (B)Ten thousand saw I at a glance ( C)Tossing their heads in sprightly dance ©Go to Visualize Poetry and read Two Inches Tall, by Shel

Silverstein.5. What would be considered the refrain? 6. List 2 examples of alliteration.7. This poem follows the rhyme scheme of AABBBC. Writean additional stanza for this poem using the same rhyme scheme.

Task 3: SimileSimile

A direct comparison between two objects or ideas that uses the words “like” or “as”

Go to Baseball Alamanac and read Robert Francis’ poem, The Base Stealer.

8. What is an example of a simile written in the poem?9. What two things is the poem comparing through the use of simile?

Task 4: PersonificationPersonification

Giving human traits or characteristics to animals or objects

Visit the site, Thinkquest, to read 3 examples of personification.

10. List an example of personification from each of the three poems given.

Task 5: ImageryImagery

Representation of the five senses: sight, taste, touch, sound, and smell to create mental images about a poem’s subject

Read the poem, White Eyes, by visiting The Poetry Foundation.

11. Think about the imagery in this poem and describe how this poem uses imagery.

Task 6: AssonanceAssonance

The repetition of a vowel sound in two or more words in the line of a poem Example: Which is the bliss of solitude

In the poem, We Real Cool by Gwendolyn Brooks, many examples of assonance are used. Read her poem at The Poetry Foundation and complete the task.

12. Give three examples of assonance from the poem.

Task 7: OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

Word or words imitating a noise

The poems found at Funny Poems contain several examples of onomatopoeia.

13. List 6 words in the poem that are onomatopoeia.14. Think of 3 additional examples of your own.

Your Next Task

The next step to understanding the secret code is to examine some famous poets. You will discover specific examples of how poets can use this language. Take the time to read the examples and make some connections with the "codes" you have learned so far.

Task 8: Jack Prelutsky

Listen to Mr. Prelusky read his poem, "Louder than a Clap of Thunder“.

15. What are 5 comparisons to how loud father snores?

16. Read his biography. What was one of his favorite foods he wrote a poem about?

Task 9: Brod Bagert

Most of Broad Bagert’s poetry is written to be funny and read aloud.

17. How does Brod Bagert explain writing in voice?

18. What is Jennifer's Secret?

Task 10: Kenn Nesbitt

Visit Poet Kenn Nesbitt and his site Poetry for Kids. Click on frequently asked questions.

19 What does Mr. Nesbitt say about why he writes poetry?

Task 11: Robert Pottle

Visit the site of Robert Pottle. Look over his list of funny poems.

20.Choose two of them to read and then rate it from 1-5 (1 being least and 5 being best).

21.What the name of the teacher that left the voice mail message?

Task 12:Robert Frost

Read Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken.

22. What do you think he meant by “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference”?

Your Final Task

To further crack the “poetic code,” you will need to examine different types of poems and experiment with using the code to write some of your own.

Task 13: Acrostic

Go to this site to explore and write your own acrostic poem.

23. What is an acrostic poem?24. Write and print one online. Attach

it to your answer sheet.

Task 14: Diamante

Go to this site to explore and write your own diamante poem.

25. What is a diamante poem?26. Write and print one online. Attach

it to your answer sheet.

Task 15: Haiku

Go to this site to explore and write your own haiku.

27. What is a haiku?28. Use the online haiku maker and

write yours down on your answer sheet.

Wrap Up

29. Agree or Disagree: I enjoy exploring topics through webquests.

30. From 1-10 (1 being least and 10 being most), how much did you learn about poetry through this webquest?

Evaluation

Webquest Rubric

Conclusion

You have unlocked the secret code of poetry. It should no longer seem like an encrypted message. Congratulations!