WHY LOUISIANA AIN'T MISSISSIPPI... OR ANY PLACE ELSE!

OBJECTIVES

​Students will learn about several different forms of poetry.Students will learn how to create poems based on different types of poetry.Students will use events in Louisiana history past and present, as well as geography to create stories using poetic art.

EDUCATION STANDARDS: SOCIAL STUDIES, ELA

• Louisiana ELA Standards-Reading Informative Text: 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.7
• Language: 8.1(a-d), 8.2c, 8.3a, 8.4(a-d), 8.5(a-c), 8.6
• Louisiana Social Studies Standards: 8.1, 8.2, 8.6, 8.7

MEDIA RESOURCES

• Why Louisiana Ain't Mississippi ... Or Anyplace Else Video Clip
  • She Is Louisiana
• Handout
  • Poetry Styles Guide

MATERIALS NEEDED

• Computers
• Internet

SUGGESTED TIME

Students will need two 45-minute class periods- one to watch a mini-lesson on poetry and one to create their own works.

ACTIVITY/LESSON

1. Teacher will provide students with a mini-lesson about poetry as well as introducing students to a few examples of different types of poetry.
2. Teacher will show clip to students of the poem recited at the end of Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi.
3. Students will prepare at least three different types of poems about events in Louisiana history past or present (teachers may want to modify the number of poems based upon time constraints). Teacher will encourage students to incorporate geographical areas found on maps of Louisiana with interesting history.
4. Students may recite, sing, and/or do spoken word using their own poetry. These presentations should be done before an audience and perhaps a fundraiser.
5. If teachers decide to allow the fundraiser, each student will research a charity or foundation and present the pros and cons of donating to that organization. The class will vote to select one charitable cause they are collectively interested in and research it. Ex: Cancer Society…) It is suggested that students choose a charity or foundation that was founded or is housed in the state of Louisiana. Louisiana Charities. The fundraiser proceeds would be donated to the charity or foundation selected by the students.
6. All planning for the function will be handled by students (organization, format, programs…), and overseen by a teacher or another adult.
7. Local (statewide) poets may be invited to attend the function to watch student performances and perhaps speak with students and the audience.

Poetry Terms:

• Meter
• Verse
• Stanza
• Voice
• Iamb
• Iambic Pentameter
• Imagery
• Alliteration
• Metaphor
• Simile