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Title - The Buzz Poem
By - Gaynor Morgan
Primary Subject - Language Arts
Secondary Subjects - Language Arts
Grade Level - 8-12
This is good for EFL students but can be adapted for a normal English speaking class.
Time about 45 mins.

1. Open discussion about terrorism (5 mins max).
2. Get feedback on feelings (fluency language).
3. Split class into groups of 4 or 5.
4. Brainstorm a title and write all titles on the board, agree on a title and the style (rhyming or non rhyming poem) using the majority.
4. Explain that the class will make a joint poem, and each group has 2 lines each to write, the poem could either be split into verses or kept as a continuing poem.
5. Get each student to write 2 lines of a poem, the group must then decide between them in which order the lines are going to be, E.g Jonny's 2 lines 1st then Sarah's 2 lines etc. (good team work spirit).
6. The group must then check each others spelling using dictionaries (good practice for team work and precision work).
7. One person in the group will then write out the groups' lines on one piece of paper to be handed to the teacher.
8. The teacher or a chosen student or a chosen person from each group reads out each verse.
9. If facilities allow, photo copy the poem onto laminated paper and show end result on an overhead projector or photocopy the final poem and give each student a copy of their proud work.

This lesson plan encourages fluency, team work, accuracy, but above all allows students to show their inner most feelings without feeling self-conscious.

I have tried this with great success, and would be interested in any feedback. Write to:

E-Mail Gaynor Morgan!