Connecting Poetry with Philanthropy

Review the definition of philanthropy and discuss responses to the Anticipatory Set. Review the poetic conventions of rhyme, rhythm, refrain, alliteration, onomatopoeia, metaphor, simile and personification.

• Explain stanzas in poetry to students.
  • Stanzas in poetry are like paragraphs in an essay or chapters in a book. Each stanza is usually separated from others by a blank space on the page. It is a way for organizing and separating ideas.
  • Also explain that the first word of each new line of poetry should be capitalized.
• Assign students the task of writing a poem of at least three stanzas. This poem should include at least three of the poetic conventions studied. This poem should relate to the theme of philanthropy. (It may be easier for the learners to begin their poems with the metaphor or simile created in Lesson Three: Painting Pictures with Poetry.) Brainstorm ideas and subtopics with the class, for example, the poem might be about giving that takes place within the family or about an organization to which their families belong which takes part in philanthropic activities. Allow time to begin writing the rough draft of the poem.
• Use the writing process for peer editing and revising. Then, if available, use the computer lab to word process final copies. Once the poem is created, the learner should design an original illustration or select computer-generated clip art that matches the idea of the poem.
• Conduct a “coffee house” fundraiser or turn the poems and artwork into stationery or greeting cards which can be sold. In the next lesson, students will determine how the funds will be allocated to aid worthwhile causes.