Students read an example of allegory, review literary concepts, complete literary elements maps and plot diagrams, create a pictorial allegory, and write diamante poems related to the theme of change.

See the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial wall in Washington D.C. through the eyes of war veteran and contemporary poet Yusef Komunyakaa. In this video segment from Poetry Everywhere, Komunyakaa reads his poem Facing It.

Students read "The Jolly Postman", in which a postman delivers letters to storybook characters. They explore different types of mail and categorize letters from the book and their own mail. Children find favorite words, phrases, and sentences from familiar stories. Working together, they combine their words and phrases to create a poem. The poem is then shared as performance poetry.

This resource presents many guidelines here that will be helpful as you write your first draft. Click on the topic you want to know more about and the guidelines will load.

This Henry Howard (1517-1547) index page provides links to a biographical profile of the English poet-soldier as well as to full text examples of his work and related resources.

Poetic techniques, the poet's "arsenal" of techniques, and links to literary terms are features of this text-based page.

"I cannot dance opon my Toes," Emily Dickinson writes, "no man instructed me." Still, Dickinson makes the white page of the poem her performance space. In this video [5:36] excerpted from Poetry in America, an ensemble of interpreters do not only discuss -- they also act, play and dance -- their interpretations of Dickinson's ravishing ballet-themed poem. Join actor, Cynthia Nixon, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, dancer and choreographer Jill Johnson, poet Marie Howe, and host Elisa New in an exploration of the challenges of art, and the price of audience, across time, space, and artistic medium.

This lesson plan, provided by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), encourages students to evaluate literature in a variety of multimedia formats and answer the question, "Who Am I?," Students are then asked to create their own multimedia portfolios and Web pages to reflect who they are. L.11-12.3 Language Functions/Style

This art history video discussion examines the "Mihrab" (prayer niche), 1354--55 (A.H. 755), just after the Ilkhanid period, Isfahan, Iran, polychrome glazed tiles, 135-1/16 x 113-11/16 inches / 343.1 x 288.7 cm (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York).

Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.

Students will learn about the impact of enjambment in Gwendolyn Brooks' short but far-reaching poem "We Real Cool." One element of this lesson plan that is bound to draw students in is a compelling video of working-class Bostonian John Ulrich reciting the poem.

Build a greater understanding of poetry and poet's voice. Develop and interpret a poem for a oral performance. Links include presentation rubrics and participation rubric.

Students take poetic license when they interpret William Carlos William's poem "The Red Wheelbarrow" to help create a poem of their own.

A nice, easy-to-read page with info on John Donne. Gives good insight into the metaphysical style of poetry with links to several of his poems. RL.9-10.10a&b text complexity

Students will be singing the blues in this lesson in which they identify themes from "The Gift of the Magi" and write and present blues poetry based on those themes.

A poem "which expresses a personal response to nature," the tanka is a form of Japanese writing very similar to the haiku. This lesson plan is a great extension to any study or exploration of Japanese art, culture, and writing. Included are examples of tanka poems and links to further information on this form of writing.

Excerpt taken from "The Cambridge History of English and American Literature," this site places Donne amidst Elizabethan poets of his era and defines Donne apart from them.

Here, read the poems, epistles, sonnets, and fragments of John Keats. Includes a four-page introduction discussing Keats' life and career.

This Cambridge History of English and American Literature entry is part two in a discussion of the life and work of John Skelton leading up to his poem "Phyllyp Sparowe."

Students will analyze form in Shakespearean sonnets and hip-hop music. Concepts viewed in-depth include rhythm, form, diction, and sound. [Requires QuickTime 7].

This learning module includes several lessons that help promote kindness, empathy, and resilience among students.