What Your Students Will Produce

A short narrative told through concrete poems.

What You Will Do

STEP 1

Students should read and examine examples of concrete poems that tell a story. Technically, It’s not my Fault by John Grandits is a great mentor text. It can be read as a whole text or as individual poems. 

STEP 2

After reading the poems students should work together to answer the following questions: What happened in the poem? What was the story? What is the shape of the poem? Why did the poet choose this shape? 

STEP 3

After studying mentor texts, students should create a series of three or more concrete poems that work together to create a cohesive story. Students can create their own story, adapt a story they have read (class novel, independent reading book,) or adapt a personal narrative they have written for class. Students should complete the Concrete Poems Handout in order to help them plan for their...