Fun Poetry Ideas for the Middle School Classroom
Two Creative Activities to Help Students Select a Poem Topic or Idea
Jan 18, 2009
Students sometimes struggle with writing poetry. Try these activities to energize the students to find a perfect topic or idea for their next poetry writing assignment.
Paper Wads of Poetry Ideas Activity
Student created paper balls help students come up with poetry topics.
Step 1 -- Give students several sheets of scrap white paper. On the board or overhead projector, write some basic poetry topics, such as the following: love, friendship, happiness, growing up, family, frustration, rejection, leadership, etc. Discuss the topics.
Step 2 -- Tell students to brainstorm on scrap paper some topics in which they have an interest. Middle school students tend to have an interest in football, candy, junk food, cheerleading, soccer, hockey, volleyball, baseball, dating, shopping, animals, computers, hunting, fishing, etc.
Step 3 -- Ask students to take three pieces of paper and write one of their favorites on each piece of paper.
Students Actively Help Each Other
Step 4 –Delegate a “paper wad field” in a part of the room. Then, tell students to crumple up the papers into paper wads. Next, have them throw the paper wads into the “field.”
Step 5 – Ask students to walk to the field” to gather three wads of paper. They should pick up three random paper wads and go back to their seats.
Step 6 – Tell students to open up their crumpled paper and read what is inside. They need to choose one of the paper wads topics for a poem.
Emulate the Poetry Masters Activity
Another way for students to come up with a topic or idea, is to try the copy change poem. This is where students write their own poem using the style or format of a poem they love. The important part is that the students give the published author credit at the bottom of the page of their poem.
Step 1 -- Collect as many poetry books as possible from the school library. There should be at least one book per student. It is better if there are two books per student.
Step 2 – Tell students to browse through the books and select one that they like. They could choose the poetry book based on the topic or the style of the poet.
Step 3 – Students need to choose one poem from the book that is their favorite.
Step 4-- Students will then write a copy change poem. Students need to turn in a copy of the original poem and their poem.
These are just two ideas of how to help students start a poem or come up with an idea for their own poetry. Once they get started, many find it hard to stop writing.
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