Week One Poetry

Week 1: Introduction to Poetry and Sonnets

Day 1: Overview of Poetry Styles

• Activity: Icebreaker - Introduce yourself through a poetic name acrostic.
• Lecture: Brief history of poetry, introduction to various styles.
• Discussion: What draws you to poetry? Share your favorite poems.

Day 2: Understanding Sonnets

• Activity: Analyze a classic sonnet together.
• Lecture: Explanation of sonnet structure (Shakespearean and Petrarchan).
• Discussion: Share initial impressions and feelings about sonnets.

Day 3: Writing Exercise - Crafting a Sonnet

• Activity: Break down sonnet structure with examples.
• Assignment: Write a sonnet exploring a personal experience or emotion.
• Vocabulary Words: Quatrain, Couplet, Volta.

Day 4: Peer Review and Feedback

• Activity: Peer review workshop for sonnets.
• Lecture: Discuss common challenges and strategies in sonnet writing.
• Discussion: Share insights gained from reviewing peers' work.

Day 5: Recap and Reflection

• Activity: Reflect on the week's lessons and exercises.
• Lecture: Overview of upcoming weeks.
• Assignment: Write a short reflection on what you've learned about poetry and sonnets.

Study Guide Questions for Week 1:

1. What is the basic structure of a sonnet?
2. Compare and contrast Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets.
3. How does the volta contribute to the meaning of a sonnet?
4. Discuss the role of rhyme and meter in sonnets.
5. Explore your personal connection to poetry. What emotions or themes resonate with you?

Quiz: A short quiz assessing understanding of sonnet structure, key terms, and the historical context of poetry.

Week 2: Embracing Haiku and Villanelle

Day 1: Understanding Haiku

• Activity: Analyze classic haikus.
• Lecture: Explain the traditional structure and themes of haikus.
• Discussion: Share thoughts on the simplicity and depth of haikus.

Day 2: Crafting Haikus

• Activity: Write haikus individually.
• Lecture: Discuss the significance of nature in haikus.
• Discussion: Share and discuss individual haikus.

Day 3: Unraveling the Villanelle

• Activity: Analyze a famous villanelle.
• Lecture: Explore the structure and repetition in villanelles.
• Discussion: Discuss the impact of repeated lines on the overall theme.

Day 4: Writing Exercise - Composing a Villanelle

• Activity: Break down the process of crafting a villanelle.
• Assignment: Write a villanelle on the theme of memory or loss.
• Vocabulary Words: Tercet, Refrain, Envoi.

Day 5: Peer Review and Feedback

• Activity: Peer review workshop for villanelles.
• Lecture: Discuss the challenges and beauty of crafting repetitive forms.
• Discussion: Share insights gained from reviewing peers' villanelles.

Study Guide Questions for Week 2:

1. What defines a haiku? Discuss its structure and thematic elements.
2. Explore the cultural significance of nature in haikus.
3. What is the structure of a villanelle, and how does repetition contribute to its impact?
4. Discuss the emotions evoked by repeated lines in a villanelle.
5. Reflect on the process of crafting a villanelle. What challenges did you face?

Quiz: Assessment on the understanding of haikus, villanelles, and the effective use of repetition in poetry.