American Voices: Listening to Fiction, Poetry, and Prose

Appendices

Appendix A - Standards

Many of the PA Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening for eighth grade will be addressed throughout the completion of this unit. The first of those is 1.2.8.C which states that students will "produce work in at least one literary genre that follows the conventions of the genre." Students will write at least five original poems during this unit. Some of these poems will follow conventions while other will be free verse.

The second standard in this unit 1.3.8.A, B and C simply instruct students to "read and understand works of literature" and "write poems." Student will become familiar with and use sound techniques and figurative language in poetry.

Standard 1.6.8.B and C states that students should "listen to selections of literature," relate it to previous knowledge, summarize events and analyze the selections. Students will also "use skills appropriate to formal speech situations" when they are performing their poetry.

Appendix B - What is Poetry?

Create phrases about poetry that employ figurative language.

Poetry is like

Writing poetry

When I read poetry, I feel like

I can find poetry in

Poetry hides in

Create three of your own.

Appendix C - Internet Poetry Workshop

Internet Poetry Workshop

1. Log on to computers:

• Username
• Password

2. List of poetry sites

• The Library of Congress Poetry 180 Web site: www.loc.gov/poetry/180
• The American Academy of Poets: www.poets.org
• The Poetry Archive: www.poetryarchive.org
• Fooling with Words: www.pbs.org/wnet/foolingwithwords
• Poems on Poems: www.tnellen.com/cybereng/poetry/index.html

3. You are required to find at least one of the following:

one sonnet

• one ballad
• one ode

4. Complete the Internet Poetry Workshop activity sheet.

5. Copy and paste five poems into Microsoft Word so they can be printed at the end of class. Make sure you have the following for each poem:

• Title/Source/Page #
• Author's name
• Poem type (ode, sonnet, ballad, free verse, etc.)
• Poetic Devices (rhyme, rhythm, figurative language, etc.)
• Poem

Poetry Workshop Activity Sheet

Appendix D - Poetry in Performance

Poetry in Performance: How to Speak Expressively

Pitch

You can change the meaning of words by letting your voice go up and down. Say these three sentences, and notice how their meanings change as your voice rises and falls according to the punctuation.

• Look at the moon.
• Look at the moon!
• Look at the moon?

Stress

Giving emphasis to different words can also change a sentence. These three sentences change in meaning when a speaker puts emphasis on different words.

• Maria will sing.
• Maria will sing.
• Maria will sing.

Volume

You can make an important point by speaking loudly or softly. If you have been speaking in a level tone of voice, a change in volume (louder or softer) signals to the audience that you are saying something important.

Rate

Slowing your rate of speaking will also help you make an important point. Quickening your rate occasionally will add excitement to your speech.

Gestures

An appropriate gesture, or movement, will not only make your meaning clearer, it will add a little drama to what you say. Try saying, "There's a car" as a statement, an exclamation, and a question. In each case, add a gesture. Notice that the meaning is now much clearer and stronger.

Juncture

This term refers to pauses in speech. You pause when one thought ends and another begins. Repeat the following sentences.

Robert put the dog in its pen.

Robert, put the dog in its pen.