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Grades level iconsGrades 7–8
Session time icon1 Session, 60 Minutes
Genre information iconNarrative, Poetry
Resource type iconLessons

Concrete Poems

Author image
by Mallory Miller, 826 Digital Educator Leader
In this lesson, students will construct a short narrative told through concrete poems.
About the Author

Mallory Miller is a sixth year middle school ELA teacher who loves: choice reading, creative writing, her two pitbulls, and unique antiques.

What Your Students Will Learn

Students will learn about concrete poetry and will practice combining narrative elements with poetic form.

Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.3 Common Core Standards Icon
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.3 Common Core Standards Icon
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
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...

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