April 28th, 2014

4/28/14

In Class:
Journal--  Write a haiku about an important person or place in your life.
haiku: a traditional, form-based Japanese poem.
   * three lines; 5/7/5 syllable-count
   * reference to nature or the seasons
   * kiru ('cutting') -- thought, style, punctuation, or tone shift at the end of line 2.
   Ex: You are my sunshine
          Grass clippings and warm days, but
          Winter is coming.

Screened and discussed "Flatland" by Sam Cook, particularly focusing on the use of voice and body language to create tone and mood.

Mini-Lesson on Performance Techniques:
The following techniques are clear and powerful ways to alter the mood and engage the audience.
crescendo (<): a gradual increase in volume for performance effect.
  *increased importance, urgency, anger, excitement, passion
decrescendo (>): a gradual decrease in volume for performance effect.
  *increased seriousness, reflection, worry, sadness
pace: the speed/rate with which a poet delivers material.
   *varied pace allows for greater expression of tone and greater audience engagement

Practice in Performance Technique:
In pairs, students chose one poem from a random anthology, and then practiced reading that poem with various tones based on Plutchik's wheel, focusing particularly on volume, pace, and other delivery techniques.

Exit ticket: Define 'crescendo.'

Homework:
Identify at least two poems (or 'seeds') that you are considering for Poetry Jam. [Writers' Workshop next class.]