×
Grades level iconsGrades 6–12
Session time icon60+ Minutes
Genre information iconPoetry
Video resource type iconVideos

Meaning from Shape (Secondary)

by Cristeta Boarini, 826 MSP
Journalist and 826 MSP staffer, Cristeta Boarini, shares a poetry prompt that walks students through using shapes to convey meaning.
About the Author

In addition to working as the Program Director at 826 MSP, Cristeta is an audio producer, journalist, and writer. As a writer of color, she values the amplification of fellow voices to bring greater equity to the storytelling landscape. When she gets to share stories that impact her community–like how neighborhood parks matter in the fight for social justice, or the impact of racial profiling of African immigrants in police reports–that work makes her feel part of something bigger than herself.

What Your Students Will Learn

You will learn how presentation and shape can affect the meaning of a poem.

Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.4 Common Core Standards Icon
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.4 Common Core Standards Icon
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.4 Common Core Standards Icon
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4 Common Core Standards Icon
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.4 Common Core Standards Icon
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
What Your Students Will Produce

Your students will produce poem whose shape and meaning are intertwined, in the style of E.E. Cummings, Rosemarie Castoro, or Layli Long Soldier.

What You Will Do

If you’re looking for a version of this lesson for elementary students, please click here!

STEP 1

First, answer this question in your writing journal: “What does a poem usually look like? Think of at least 3 common physical qualities a poem usually has.” Then, watch the “Meaning From Shape” video. What is the main difference in the poem Cristeta wrote and a poem you may have seen before?

STEP 2

Slowly scroll through the poems on the Meaning from Shape — Mentor Texts and observe the physical shapes the poems take. What do the shapes of these poems remind you of?

Examples:

  • “The Sky Was” by E.E. Cummings has words written in arcs reminiscent of clouds.
  • Rosemarie Castoro’s poem lines up perfectly on graph paper, like soldiers in formation.

Next, read through the poems and note how the content is related to...

Login Blurred Image

See more Videos at this level

Grades 6–8
Videos
Character Choices

by Sarah Richman, 826DC

Narrative

Writer and staffer at 826DC, Sarah Richman, shares an original writing prompt that will help you get aquainted with your new characters.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Writing & LinkedIn with Erin Polgreen

by 826 National

Memoir
Narrative

Senior Business Development Manager Erin Polgreen shares more about the ways she sees LinkedIn users engaging with writing on the platform.

Grades 6–8
Videos
The Egg Dozen Dilemma: What’s the Central Idea?

by 826 National, featuring Kaiden Griggs, Grade 6

Informational
Media

In this lesson, students will identify the main idea and supporting details of an informational text and summarize this idea objectively.

Grades 3–6
Videos
Honey Bee: Lessons in Fables

by 826 National, featuring Isaac Reynolds, Grade 6

Narrative

What’s the moral of the story? In this lesson, students practice identifying and summarizing a moral in a fable written by a sixth grader.

Grade 8
Videos
Paper Doll: Concrete Poems

by 826 National, featuring Soeun Lee, Grade 8, NJ

Poetry

In this lesson, you will create poems that look completely different from poems you have written before!

Grades 11–12
Videos
I Remember… with Natalie Moore

by Natalie Moore

Memoir
Narrative
Poetry

In this lesson, you will use journal entries as inspiration for a dynamic narrative poem.

Grades 4–8
Videos
Inspiration in the Everyday with Charlotte Yeung

by Charlotte Yeung

Fantasy/SciFi
Narrative
Persuasive
Poetry

Midwest Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador, Charlotte Yeung, shares one of her favorite brainstorming strategies for creating a new piece.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With . . . Life Stories: Singing Through Struggles with Gloria Estefan
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Media

Songwriters are powerful storytellers. Their lyrics can connect us, uplift us, and even heal us. In this lesson, you’ll identify a story of your own and turn it into original song lyrics.

Grades 4–8
Videos
Interviewing Inanimate Objects with Daniel Handler

by Daniel Handler

Narrative

Author Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket, shows there are no limits to imagination with this interviewing activity.

Grades 9–10
Videos
Place As a Character with Sean Prentiss

by Sean Prentiss

Narrative

Essayist, poet, and National Outdoor Book Award winner Sean Prentiss shares his favorite way to develop the setting of a story or essay as a fully formed character.

Grades 6–8
Videos
Side Character Stories with Emily Harding

by Emily Harding

Narrative

Author and TV producer, Emily Harding shows side characters some love in this writing prompt.

Grades 9–12
Videos
The Art of Revision with Shavon Doyle-Holton

by 826 National

Informational
Narrative

Revision is the process of making substantial changes in your writing. In this lesson, you will use revision strategies to strengthen a current piece of writing you’re working on.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With. . . Life Stories: I Saw. . . I See with Darren Walker

by 826 National and Life Stories

Poetry

In this activity, you will explore your values and the lived experiences that have shaped them, and then write a poem that shares your vision for the future.

Grades 6–8
Videos
Story Shapes with Tom Perrotta

by 826 National

Narrative

Author Tom Perrotta reads "Peter, Who Went on the Best Adventure Ever." In this lesson, you will learn about 3 shapes that will help the events of your story unfold naturally.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With. . . Life Stories: Art as Activism with Martin Sheen

by 826 National and Life Stories

Narrative
Poetry

Activism and art are personal—they are fueled by your perspective of the world. In this lesson, you will write a poem or a narrative that shares your deep connection to an important topic or issue.

Grade 10
Videos
To the Future Lawmakers from a Terrified Teen

by Lila Coffey, Grade 10, MA

Poetry

Lila Coffey addresses her fears for women and children, in her poem addressed to the next President of the United States. Viewer disecretion is advised.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With… Life Stories: Storytelling Is Who We Are with Tova Friedman
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Narrative

Stories can bridge our past to our future—but only if we build them. In this lesson, you will reflect on a story from your personal history that you think others could learn from.

Grades 11–12
Videos
If I Were a Poet: Ironic Narratives

by 826 National, featuring Alistar Bedell, Grade 11, CA

Narrative

In this lesson, you will practice analyzing different types of a narrative technique called irony. Then, you will write your own scene that uses irony to develop an imaginary experience or character.

Grades 6–8
Videos
Pickup Lines Cheesier Than Cheddar with Carter Higgins

by 826 National

Narrative
Poetry

Author Carter Higgins reads "Pickup Lines Cheesier Than Cheddar," a piece written by fifth-grader Uma (826NYC).

Grades 9–10
Videos
Writing & Empathy with Dr. Matthew Bucknor

by 826 National

Memoir
Narrative

Radiologist Matthew Bucknor shares while it's important for students studying STEM fields "not to sleep on the Humanities."

Grades 3–12
Videos
Book Scavenger Hunt Poetry with Amanda Gorman

by Amanda Gorman

Poetry

Presidential Inaugural Poet, activist, and bestselling author Amanda Gorman shares one of her favorite techniques for starting a poem or getting over writers' block.

Grades 6–12
Videos
Writing & Mental Health with Arielle Johnson (AJ)

by 826 National

Memoir

In this lesson, you will learn a strategy for writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly.

Grade 7
Videos
Day & Night: Rhyme Schemes

by 826 National, featuring Eloise Combs, Grade 3, Michigan

Poetry

Not all poems have to rhyme, but when they do, they generally use “rhyme scheme.” In this lesson, students will write a poem with a unique sound and rhyme scheme.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Remix Your Writing

by Robin Reid Drake, 826CHI

Poetry

826CHI Teaching Artist, Robin Reid Drake, shares an original writing prompt that encourages students to borrow lines from their favorite pieces of writing and then remix them into something new.

Grades 6–8
Videos
How Did You Get There?

by Amanda Dettmann, 826NYC

Narrative

Poet and teaching artist with 826NYC, Amanda Dettmann, shares a simple and fun writing prompt that asks the question, "How Did You Get There?"

Grades 9–12
Videos
For Every One

by Jason Reynolds

Memoir
Narrative

Part letter, part long-form poem, "For Every One" offers reflections and courageous words about unraveling and rebuilding one's dreams.

Grades 9–10
Videos
The 5 Speeds of Scene with Sean Prentiss

by Sean Prentiss

Narrative

Essayist, poet, and National Outdoor Book Award winner Sean Prentiss shares 5 techniques to use when writing scenes.

Grades 9–10
Videos
Writing & Creativity with NaBeela Washington

by 826 National

Narrative

Writers are guided by their personal and artistic values as they work to achieve their goals. But what are those values built on? In this lesson, you will discover that for yourself.

Grade 10
Videos
A Child’s Dream

by Isabella Baldisseri, Grade 10, OR

Poetry

Isabella Baldisseri reads her original piece of writing—a letter to the next President of the United States—addresssing her concerns about Palestine. Viewer discretion is advised.

Grades 2–12, k
Videos
Write. Read. Feel. with Mychal Threets

by Mychal Threets, librarian and literacy ambassador

Memoir
Narrative
Poetry

Librarian and literacy ambassador Mychal Threets invites you to write about your feelings, your way with four writing prompts to explore your emotions on the page.

Grades 9–12
Videos
How to Ask Why with Nicole Dungca

by 826 National

Informational
Media

Nicole Dungca, Investigative Reporter at The Washington Post and President of the Asian American Journalists Association, shares strategies for asking key questions.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With. . . Life Stories: Find Your Funny with Roz Chast

by 826 National and Life Stories

In this lesson, you will find the funny in your everyday life experiences and share those moments in a cartoon.

Grades 9–10
Videos
Writing for TV with Tim McKeon

by 826 National

Media
Narrative

Television writer and showrunner Tim McKeon shares how he became a scriptwriter and the valuable skills you'll need if you'd like to become one too.

Grades 4–6
Videos
Silly Scenes with Sean Thomason

by 826 National

Media
Narrative

In this lesson, you will create a character and show how a character would respond in a specific situation by writing dialogue, resulting in a silly scene.

Grade 8
Videos
My Flight

by Soeun Lee, Grade 8, Tenafly, New Jersey

Poetry

In this poem, a student observes a dove's flight and reflects on their ability to soar.

Grades 6–12
Videos
Reflections on Writing from Jason Reynolds

by Jason Reynolds

Memoir
Narrative
Poetry

National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and NYT Bestselling Author, Jason Reynolds, joined 826 students for a conversation on his video project, "For Every One."

Grades 2–12
Videos
Hear Me Out with Javier Zamora

by Javier Zamora, 826 Valenica alumni and New York Times bestselling author

Memoir
Narrative
Persuasive
Poetry

Author Javier Zamora invites you to raise your voice and write to the next President of the United States.

Grades 6–12
Videos
Battling the Page with Johan Bergenas

by 826 National

Informational
Narrative
Persuasive
Poetry

In this lesson, you will build your confidence as a writer by battling the page on a consistent basis.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Floor Plan

by Amy Dupcak, 826NYC

Memoir
Narrative

Writer and teaching artist with 826NYC, Amy Dupcak, shares a memoir writing prompts that helps students use specific sensory language to describe a place they love.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Notice What You Notice with Austin Bunn

by Austin Bunn

Narrative

Fiction writer, playwright, and screenwriter Austin Bunn shares a writing prompt that will get you noticing--and reimagining--the objects you see everyday.

Grades 9–10
Videos
Writing & Advocacy with Brenda Quintanilla

by 826 National

Informational

Law student Brenda Quintanilla shares how writing is a vital tool to use when advocating for your community.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With. . . Life Stories: Soundscape Poems with Jason Reynolds
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Poetry

You will write a “soundscape” poem filled with familiar sounds of your neighborhood or home.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With. . . Life Stories: From Your Perspective with Tony Hawk

by 826 National and Life Stories

Narrative

From skateboarding to fashion, we all have a deep love for something. Choose a hobby or skill that you’re passionate about and then tell the story of how you grew to love it.

Grades 9–10
Videos
TV Narrative Study with Tim McKeon

by 826 National

Informational
Media

Television writer and showrunner Tim McKeon shares how you can study your favorite TV show to learn about screenwriting.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With . . . Life Stories: Excavate Your Story with Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Narrative
Poetry

In this lesson, you will learn about Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis’s life, an idea she calls “fierce-love,” and the importance of learning to love yourself.

Grades 8–10
Videos
1947: Stories as Records

by 826 National, featuring Priyanna Kumar Singhania, Grade 8

Narrative
Poetry

In this lesson, you will write down a story that’s been passed down to you, using precise words and phrases and sensory language, to convey a vivid picture of the event.

Grades 5–8
Videos
Climactic Cliffhangers with Mac Barnett

by Mac Barnett

Narrative

Mac Barnett, a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children, illustrates how to end a story...or not.

Grade 6
Videos
The Wolf: Point of View Poem

by 826 National, featuring Nayeli Karunasekara, grade 6, Michigan

Poetry

Through reading a Mentor Text, students learn more about the types of point of view and how different points of view impact their writing.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With. . . Life Stories: The Names We Carry with Katie Couric

by 826 National and Life Stories

Memoir

How do the names we carry affect our identity? In this lesson, you will explore the names you carry and the impact they have on your self-image.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With . . . Life Stories: Moments as Poetry with Reginald Dwayne Betts
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Poetry

In this lesson, you will hear about the life and art of Reginald Dwayne Betts and write a poem that captures a meaningful moment from your everyday life.

Grades 4–6
Videos
Superhero-O-Matic with Lisa Brown

by 826 National

Fantasy/SciFi
Narrative

Author and illustrator Lisa Brown reads "Owl Girl. In this lesson, you will write a superhero story that introduces your character and establishes the context for your reader.

Grades 6–8
Videos
Why This Story Matters with Soledad O’Brien

by 826 National

Informational
Media

Award-winning documentarian and journalist,Soledad O'Brien, shares about why she loves her job and how she builds credibility out in the field through thorough research.