Unit 2: Poetry, Precision, and the Weight of Words
Unit 2: Poetry, Precision, and the Weight of Words
Guess what? We start with a haiku. I know. Revolutionary. But here’s the thing—poetry is precision. Every single word, every single punctuation mark, matters. This unit isn’t about flowery language or rigid rhyme schemes (though we’ll play with both); it’s about learning to economize language to maximize impact. We’ll write nursery rhymes with twisted subtext, experiment with contrasting tones by juxtaposing different word choices, and explore how a single line break can change everything.
How does structure shape meaning? How do different poetic forms—haiku, found poetry, and nursery rhymes—affect tone, rhythm, and impact?
What role does rhyme and meter play in poetry? How do patterns like rhyme scheme, repetition, and syllabic structure influence the way we experience a poem?
How do poets create contrast in tone? What makes two poems feel completely different, even if they share a similar theme or subject?
What makes a poem feel “musical”? How do poets use sound, rhythm, and word choice to make poetry feel lyrical or songlike?
How can found language become something new? How does rearranging, recontextualizing, or remixing words create unexpected meaning?
Students will analyze and apply the 5-7-5 structure of haiku to create evocative imagery.
Students will identify and implement rhyme schemes and rhythmic patterns in their own nursery rhymes.
Students will use contrast in tone and diction to craft two opposing poems.
Students will explore how word choice, sound, and structure create different tones in poetry.
Students will develop an awareness of rhythm, alliteration, and repetition to enhance the flow of their poems.
Students will understand the difference between strict form poetry and free verse, and recognize when each is most effective.
Students will "find" poetry in unexpected places, using newspaper articles, existing texts, or overheard phrases to create meaning.
Students will experiment with contrasting tones and perspectives within a poem pair, analyzing how small shifts in language completely change a piece’s impact.
Students will break down the rhyme scheme and sound devices in nursery rhymes, examining why they are so memorable.
Students will reflect on how different poetic structures change the way readers interpret meaning.
Students will compare two poems with opposing tones, identifying specific elements that shape emotion and perspective.