EECE 441: Children’s Literature: Content and Methods (4 ...



EECE 441: Children’s Literature: Content and Methods

Spring Semester 2003

Pam Werre, Asst. Professor

Oral Presentation of a Poet and Poetry Project

DUE: March 12, 2003

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to become familiar with a children’s poet and his/her poetry. A second purpose is to expand your experience with children’s poetry and to give you experience in reading poetry aloud.

The Assignment

1. Select and Research Your Poet. You will be working in groups of three for this project. Begin the assignment by selecting a poet to research. You may select any of the poets listed in Pass the Poetry Please (Library Reserve Number ELC 437) or any poet listed in bold typeface in your textbook (pages 334-342). You may not research either Shel Silverstein or Jack Prelutsky because so many people are already familiar with their poetry. The purpose of this assignment is to learn about new poets and their poetry.

Gather background information on your poet. Use Pass the Poetry Please (Library Reserve Number ELC 437), Something About the Author (CURRIC. REF. 920.03 S696), Contemporary Authors (online through library web page and at REF. PN451 .C6), and Junior Book of Authors and Illustrators (online through the library web page at

and in the library at CURRIC. REF. 920.03 J954). You may use other resources in the library to complete this portion of the assignment; the resources listed above are just a starting point. You may also use web sites, but remember that not everything on the Internet is accurate so try to verify your information with reliable sources. Be sure to cite all of the resources using MLA style.

As a group, synthesize and write a short background piece (two pages double-spaced) on your poet using the information that you have found in the resources listed above. Include a bibliography of all of the resources used on a separate page. This portion of the assignment will be turned in to me so include the name of the assignment (Oral Presentation of a Poet and Poetry Project), the name of the poet, and names of the members of your group at the top of your paper.

2. Locate Poems by Your Poet. Your group will need to identify 15 poems by the poet you have chosen to research. These poems should be ones that you enjoy and that you would share with children in your class. Prepare an annotated bibliography of the poems and include a one- or two-sentence description of why your group selected the poem. Use the sample on the next page as a template for your bibliography and annotation. This portion of the assignment will be submitted to me with the background research on the poet.

3. Practice Reading Your Poems Aloud for the Presentation. Each member will read five of your poet’s poems aloud to members of another small group as part of you poet presentation. Before the presentation, practice reading your poems out loud to members of your group and coach one another with constructive feedback. Each of you should also practice your poems in front of a mirror so you can see your facial expressions you make when you read. Just as a we practiced reading picture storybooks out loud, you will need to practice reading your poems out loud. You will want to be able to read your poems with expression and proper timing. Follow the suggested guidelines for reading poetry aloud in Pass the Poetry, Please!, pg 21-22. You do not need to show the illustrations that may accompany your poems, but may do so if appropriate for the grade level and topic. You will be graded on your poetry reading using the Reading Aloud grading sheets handed out in class.

4. In-Class Sharing of Poets and Poems. During class on March 12, your group will present the background information of your poet to the entire class. You can be creative and imaginative in how your group will present this information to the class but limit your time to about 10 minutes per group. We will then break into small groups and each individual will share their five poems with members of another poet group. The poet presentation and poetry reading are worth 50 points.

5. Submit Your Group Paper Following These Specifications:

← Include the name of the assignment (Oral Presentation of a Poet and Poetry Project), the name of the poet, and names of the members of your group. This part of the project is worth 100 points.

← Double-spaced with 1-inch margins all around.

← Use a 10 or 12-point font.

← Include the short background paper (two pages double-spaced) on your poet with the bibliography of all of the resources used on page three.

← Include the annotated bibliography of the poems and your one- or two-sentence description of why your group selected the poem. Single-space your annotations to save space and paper.

← Use MLA style of citation. Use the example below as a template for your annotated bibliography of poems.

Frost, Robert. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” Complete Poems of Robert Frost. New York: Holt Rinehart, 1967.

Our group chose this poem because of the vivid imagery used by Frost in this poem about a serene sleigh ride in the snow. The use of repetition and alliteration make this poem easy to read aloud would be a great one to share with a group on a wintry Minnesota day.

Poet and Poetry Project

2/8/03

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