Poetry Content Area Resource Collection

Poetry for English Language Learners

Grade 5-12, English as a Second Language

Brenner, Barbara. (Ed.). (2000). Voices: Poetry and Art from Around the World. Washington D.C.: National Geographic.

What? Voices is a collection of poems from different authors from around the world. The poetry is organized by continent, and each section contains poems from several different countries spanning from ancient times to modern day. There are typically 2-3 poems per page, and they have been translated into English, if written in another language originally. The books also features artistic works from the various regions interspersed with the writing.

So What? Voices would be a great introduction to distinct styles and forms of poetry from around the world. Students can find poems and poets from their region of the world, and this diverse collection has works that will appeal to all different kinds of people. This book will show students that poetry is something that all people share, regardless of culture or language.

Now What? I would use this book to find different poems to which my students can relate, based on their country of origin or their particular interests or experiences. Seeing people from their own culture write about their experiences will be inspirational when my students begin to write their own poetry. For a specific lesson, I could use this book to find poetry exhibiting a particular form, a particular topic, or that uses a particular stylistic device. This could also be a reference for me to seek out poems in the native languages of my students.

Janeczko, Paul B. (Ed.). (2009). A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms.  

What? A Kick in the Head is a children’s book that compiles poems in various styles along with colorful illustrations by Chris Raschka. This book uses well-known English poetry to catalog 29 different poetic forms, such as the aubade, elegy, couplet, pantoum, and sonnet. A definition of each form is provided underneath with poem, with more information available in the endnotes. The illustrations also help to bring interest to each poem.

So What? Familiarity with different genres of poetry is required of students under the MN English Language Arts Standards. This books presents the different poems in any interesting way, and the visuals images scaffold comprehension for English learners. Each poetic genre is cleary defined, and the poem itself provides a model for students to use when writing their own works.

Now What? I would use this book throughout a poetry unit to showcase different genres. Learning the different forms of poetry is very helpful for ELLs, because they can easily follow the “formula” to write their own poems. Throughout the unit, students would learn about the different forms before trying to write their own.

Morice, Dave. (2002). Poetry Comics: An Animated Anthology. New York: T&W Books.

What? Dave Morice is a visual artist who illustrates well-known poems in a comic book style. Poetry Comics is a collection of many of his previous works, including Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” Emily Dickinson’s “Poem 303,” and Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl,” a panel of which can be seen at the right. The book also contains step-by-step guide to creating your own poetry comics. Much of Morice’s other work can be accessed through his website: http://www.poetrycomicsonline.com/ 

So What? Morice’s artwork is great at showing the narrative nature of poetry by illustrating the story it tells. This is incredibly beneficial for English learners who can draw on the visual imagery to support unknown vocabulary or grammatical structures. Morice’s work also includes canonical poems that are used in many English literature classes, such as Frost’s “The Road Not Taken,” so I could even use this book to provide support to ELLs in a general education English class.

Now What? I would use this book to introduce and analyze different poems throughout the unit. Students would also get the chance to create their own comic from an existing poem, with help from the instructions provided in the book. This would be a great form of assessment, for students must show their comprehension through illustrations that make sense to the content of the poem.

Creech, Sharon. (2001). Love That Dog. New York: Harper Collins.

What? Love That Dog is a novel written in free verse from the perspective of a boy named Jack who is studying poetry with his teacher, Ms. Stretchberry. Jack’s book begins with the words: “I don’t want to / because boys / don’t write poetry. / Girls do.” (p. 1), indicating his resistance to studying poetry. Jack’s perspective beings to change as he studies a variety of poems (which are all included at the back of the book). He comes to find a favorite in Dean Myer’s “Love That Boy,” which reminds him of his father and his old yellow dog, Sky.

So What? The book is written in the form of a response journal, with each passage in free verse. Students will see that reading poetry is a constructive process and ideas will change over time. Students can get inside the mind of Jack as a reader (who is responding to poetry he has read) and as a writer (who is creating the words on the page). They will also learn that poetry can take a variety and deal with a variety of subjects, even the very mundane.

Now What? I would use this book at the end of the unit, when students can draw on their own study of poetry and will be familiar with some of the same works that Jack studies. I plan to use response journals in class, so students will already be familiar with the format. This book will also help students to see the wide range of what can be considered “poetry” and help them to reassess their previous conceptions. Free verse is a great option for beginning writers because there are no “rules,” unlike the previous genres studied in class.

Poets & Writers. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.pw.org

What? Poets & Writers is a non-profit organization that supports creative writers. Their website features interesting news items, writing prompts, suggestions for new writers and links to writing contents across the country. Poets & Writers also publishes a bimonthly magazine in print and online.

So What? Poets & Writers is a great resource for someone like me who has little to no experience in writing poetry, let alone in guiding others to do it! The website features weekly poetry writing prompts which I could modify to suit my curriculum and the students’ levels of proficiency. The “Daily News” tab also offers interesting information that I could connect to lessons about poetry or other literature.

Now What? Due to its complexity and challenging language, I would not expect my students to access the Poets & Writers website. However, for a student who is very interested in continuing with writing and would like to pursue more information, I would offer this as a great resource. I would love to see my students compete in a writing contest or to receive a grant from writing, but that would depend on the group of students and their interest. I can keep this website in “my back pocket” for occassions that I would need information about this.

Watt Pad. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.wattpad.com

What? Watt Pad is a social network where users can share their writing and respond to what others have written. The website features a wide range of genres, from poetry and adventure to fan-fiction and vampire. Users can connect with other writers and get feedback on their writing or just browse through topics that interest them. Watt Pad is currently available in 25 languages other than English.

So What? Watt Pad is a great way for students to publish their writing and get feedback from others (not just me and their classmates). This forum also gives students a purpose to their writing, so they will be more motivated to create meaningful writing. Since Watt Pad is available in several different languages, students could also share writing done in their native language.  In addition, students can read poetry written by other people their age who share similar experiences that are not typically addressed in class curriculums.

Now What?  I would introduce this website at the end of our study so that students could share poetry they have written during the unit. Throughout the class, students would hear of the importance of feedback and editing in the creation of good writing. Watt Pad is another avenue for students to hear other people’s reactions. If students are reluctant to share individually, we could create a class page. In general, I think students will be excited to show others what they have created.

Fleischman, Paul. (2004). Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices. New York: Harper Collins.

What? Joyful Noise is a collection of poetry that is written in two “voices.” Each poem features two columns, indicating the words spoken by each person. At points the speakers alternate, other times speaking in unison, and sometimes speaking complementary phrases. These poems can be enjoyed silently or read aloud by one or more people.

So What? The poetry in this book is a great representation of the concept of “voice,” and it shows students how that can be used in a playful way. Joyful Noise also serves as an introduction to the aural nature of poetry that could extend itself to a study of music and song lyrics.

Now What? The language in this book is fairly simple, and the poems could easily be read aloud, as a way to build fluency. With practice, the poems could also be presented as a form of reader’s theater. In writing poems like this, students would practice taking different perspectives and expressing those through different voices. Students would also enjoy writing together with a partner or in a small group.

Devlin, Paul (Director). (1998). Slam Nation: The Sport of Spoken Word [Motion Picture]. United

States: Devlin Pix.

What? Slam Nation is a documentary film that follows the 1996 National Poetry Slam in Portland, Oregon. The story focuses on the Nuyorican Poetry Slam team which features Saul Williams, Beau Sia, muMs da Schemer and Jessica Care Moore. The film was one of the first to document a poetry slam, where randomly chosen members of the audience score the poets on a scale of one to ten, with the highest scoring team winning.

So What? Slam poetry is a genre of poetry to which students may not be exposed in a typical classroom. The rhythm inherent in spoken poetry and the physicality of the performers helps to scaffold comprehension for English learners. The performances by these artists are so engaging that I hope my students will be inspired in writing their own works.

Now What? Since much of the film features inappropriate language, I would need to only show clips or purchase the educational version. After watching this film, I would have students create poems in this style or perform poems that they have already written. In addition, I would love to have a local slam poet visit the class to talk about their experiences and help students to create their own works.