Poetry Unit Starter 4: Poetry Free-Write

This activity is done in three parts:

1. Ask students to take 5-10 minutes to write half a page about poetry.


2. Instruct them to circle any 10 words. (Don't tell them what the words are for.)


3. After they have circled the words, ask them to create a poem using the ten circled words. They may add 3 additional words if needed.

Variation: Display one or a few pieces of artwork. Have students do stream of consciousness writing for 5 minutes about one of the pieces of artwork. Have them circle 8 words or phrases in their writing. Then students can create a poem from the circled words and phrases.