Download 8th Grade Poetry Packet

8th Grade Poetry Packet
Name: __________________________
Create ten (10) poems choosing from the types listed below. Be sure to follow the
specific directions and/or requirements with each type of poem attached to this
cover sheet. Remember to watch for specific number of lines, syllables, rhyme, part of
speech, etc. Check off the type of poem you created as you complete them.
(The * poems may be found online on the “instant poetry” site linked from my web page.)
1. ____ *Rhetorical Questions
2. ____ *Verb Verse
3. ____ Clause Poetry
4. ____ *Some of My best Friends Are
5. ____ Quinzaine
6. ____ Month Metaphor
7. ____ Monorhyme
8. ____ “If I Were In Charge of the World”
9. ____ Octopoem
10. ____When I Poetry
11. ____ One Sentence Poetry
12. ____ *Tanka
13. ____ The Plagiarist Poem (AKA Model Poem)
14. ____ Synonym Poetry (three required)
15. _____ “How To” Poetry
16. _____ “If I Could Be” Poetry
17. _____ Emotion Poem
18. _____ *Writer’s Affirmation Poem
19. _____ *Pensee
20. _____ Anything Goes!
Poetry Packet Requirements:
1. Please use unlined paper , and add any color or any special decorations,
clip art, etc. for a nicer presentation. Do not use pencil! Paper, markers,
crayons, etc. are all available from me! Points will be deducted for lack of
color or poor presentation.
2. Each poem has specific directions: you will be graded on your poems’
creativity as well as your ability to follow the specific directions and
requirements for each one.
3. Each poem should have a title and your name should be at the conclusion of
each poem. Yes, that means your name will appear ten times.
4. No more than two poems may appear on one page.
5. Preceding each poem title should be the type of poem you’ve created as
well as the number assigned to it from the list of 20 on the checklist page.
The checklist page should be included with your poetry packet.
6. Spelling counts! Triple check your work!
Here’s the web address:
7. http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/newpoem.htm
Poetry Packet due date
________________
Poem List Directions:
1. *Rhetorical Question :
2. *Verb Verse
3. Clause Poetry
Create two stanza poem based on the following guidelines:
1. You must write two stanzas of five lines each.
2. The first four lines of each stanza must begin with a subordinating conjunction
and cannot be a complete sentence.
4. Each line of dependent clauses must begin with a different subordinating
conjunction.
5. The last line of the stanza must be a complete sentence.
6. The first word of each line must begin with a capital letter.
7. The first four lines are punctuated with a comma, and the last line is punctuated with a
period.
8. Poems may cover any topic
9. Include a creative title (1-3 words)
School Days
Whenever I get up,
After the alarm clock has gone off,
Before the sun comes up,
As I stumble to the shower,
I slowly get ready for my day of school.
When I arrive at school,
As I am talking to my friends,
Before classes begin,
While I do my work,
I long to be back in my cozy bed
4. *Some of My Best Friends Are
5. Quinzaine: Poetry that is composed of just 15 syllables.
Line 1: 7 syllables - make a statement
Line 2: 5 syllables - start a question about the subject
Line 3: 3 syllables - finish the question (don’t answer it)
Him
Friends
I want him back as you see
Why do this to me
in this way?
Would never leave me alone
What inspires them
to stay here?
6. Month Metaphor Poem- choose a month and think about motion words, and
how if that month were a person or an animal, how it would arrive. This poem
should have no less than six lines, and six action/motion verbs. (see example
motion words ) Every line should have a unique action verb!
Some motion words to help you
.
march
skip
float
gallop
limp
canter
wobble creep
zoom trot
dance strut
scurry slide
glide slink
lurch crawl
steal stagger sneak
bounce prance tramp
lope tiptoe shuffle
plod hop
spring
drag hobble flutter
saunter
stumble
bound
totter dart
skate trudge
leap advance
skulk slip
Examples:
April
March
Falls in
On beautiful blankets of flowers
And newborn babies
It calls in the rain
And struts away with the wind
Then flutters in the warmth.
Jumps in
Pulling clouds of snow
And bites of frost
Tip toes out
With warmer breezes
Shuffling in the spring.
7. Monorhyme: poetry in which all lines have the same end rhyme
- Can be no less than 10 lines-
Late for Class
I realized it was half past four
When I, quite late, ran out the door.
My history class I so abhor,
But I missed two sessions the week before.
I failed a test on ancient lore
And forgot the date of the Second World War.
(Man, my brain was really sore.)
Up the marble stairs I tore,
And slid across a just-mopped floor:
I banged my knee and loudly swore,
To wake -again- at half past four!
These nightmares I can stand no more...
8. “If I Were In Charge of the World” :
(No less than 12 lines)
Begin your first line with the above title,
Create a four line stanza of what you would do to change the world
Repeat the line again
Create another four line stanza of what you wouldn’t do
Repeat the title
Create a four line stanza of things to change
If I Were in Charge of the World
I’d create a four day weekend
Make bad grammar illegal
Ban skinny jeans
Make chocolate taste like carrots and carrots taste like chocolate
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn’t be allowed to put political ads on television
You wouldn’t need a pass to go everywhere in the school
You wouldn’t be permitted to state nasty, rude comments on a Facebook page
You wouldn’t be able to wear Crocs or stretchpants in public places
If I were in charge of the world
There’d be chocolate shake machines and in the cafeteria
People would be paid based on their grammar
Snow would could only happen from December 15th to January 2nd
Everyone would have health insurance
If I were in charge of the world
9. Octopoem: an 8 lines (not words) poem in which you insert creative and
original words and phrases that must include each of the following:
Line 1- a color
Line 2- a season
Line 3- a place
Line 4- a type of weather
Line 5- a type of clothing
Line 6- a piece of furniture
Line 7- a TV show
Line 8- a type of food
Maggie 2006
Shiny red ringlets of hair
Eager for the warm spring breezes
Rushing down the driveway to meet the bus
April showers creating inviting puddles
To splash in her new yellow boots
She awaits at the kitchen table to present her homework for the evening
So she can watch two episodes of Full House
And wolf down chocolate chip cookies
10. “When I” Poetry:
Choose a moment or incident in your life and “freeze” it; explore and delve into
what you thinking and considering. It could be a mundane or average duty, or it
could be something more elaborate. Possible topics: When I turned 13, When I
lift the garbage lid, When I first saw ___________, When I get up in the morning,
When I have fears, When I heard_______________, When I think of __________
This poem should be no less than 10 lines
When I Make Grilled Cheese Sandwich by a former student
When I make a grilled cheese sandwich
I first choose the perfect bread
Then I find a utensil
And the butter I evenly spread
The buttered bread goes on the skillet
Then I add a slice of cheese
It could be white American,
Or any cheese I please
I turn on the burner
To just the perfect heat
And on the second slice of bread
The buttering process I repeat
Once both sides are golden brown
I wolf my grilled cheese sandwich down
11. One Sentence Poetry:
Create a poem that is 10 to 12 lines long and contains only one sentence.
Something to Eat
In the midst of my poetry writing,
Which is the ruin of my weekend,
With papers scattered everywhere
And my mom pushing me on
I feel an empty feeling,
As my stomach screams out loud,
And thoughts of pizza and root beer
Start filling my brain
Pushing out any thoughts of poetry
That I am supposed to be writing,
Then suddenly realizing
This is my “one sentence” poem!
- a former student
12 *Tanka
LINE 1
LINE 2
LINE 3
LINE 4
LINE 5
Five syllables: Describe when it happened
Seven syllables: Describe what happened
Five syllables: Your worst fear
Seven syllables: A positive outcome from the experience
Seven syllables: One life lesson you learned as a result
Waste of Time
Friday afternoon
Blue screen of death server crash
Precious data gone
Do it over and over
Never forget to back up
13. The Plagiarist Poem (AKA Model Poem)- One of the greatest forms of
flattery is imitation. Be sure to include the original poem and author
you imitate!
Choose a poem and create a similar poem, using the same rhyme, rhythm,
pattern,
not the same topic. ~
CHOOSE
byetc.,
Carlbut
Sandburg
Knowledge’s Option
THE single clenched fist lifted and ready,
Or the open asking hand held out and
waiting
Choose:
For we meet by one or the other.
by Mrs. Sohns
The narrow thinking mentality,
battling every new idea
Or the open minded, eager desire to become
better, smarter, more interesting
Choose
14. Synonym Poetry (three (3) required):
For we meet by one or the other
Choose any word, and write that word in capital letter in the first line. In a
thesaurus (or an online dictionary/thesaurus) look up that word and locate three to
five synonyms for it. Write the synonyms on the second line. On the third line,
write a descriptive phrase about the word. The last two lines of the poem should
rhyme.
LOVE
Attachment, adoration, warmth, adore
Love is so pure, right down to the core
ENGLISH
Words, thoughts, ideas, expression
Control of your language is the greatest possession
M. Sohns
15. “How to Poetry”
Create a poem telling how to eat spaghetti, get away with a lie, how to ask for a date, how
to sharpen a pencil, how to kiss a snake, how to become dust, how to avoid someone,
how to get straight “A’s”…it could be funny or serious. Use interesting and creative
techniques in your instructions.
This poem should be no less than 10 lines.
How to Annoy Eighth Graders
Start by insisting that they sit in an assigned seat.
Require all assignments be completed in ink.
Ask, “I don’t know, can you go to the bathroom?”
Act as if grammar makes the world go ‘round
Avoid any eye contact if hand is raised only when Jolly Rancher is offered
Ask them a question when they are not paying attention
Look perturbed when they ask, “Can I ask a question?”
Have them repeat “Not is not a verb” hundreds of time
Firmly reply, “NO!” when they request lav or water or nurse
Always give homework
Smile brightly and say, “Composition assignment!” every week.
16. “If I Could Be” Poetry: No less than five lines
Line #1: If I could be ___________________________________
Line #2: I'd ___________________________________________ (describe what
you would do)
Line #3: ______________________________________________ (describe how you
would do it)
Line #4: ______________________________________________ (describe where
you would do it)
Line #5: (Exclamation that shows how you would feel
17. Emotion Poem: No less than three lines
Title: Emotion (Choose one emotion - happiness, anger, excitement, fear)
Line #1:
you were
Line #2:
Line #3:
first two
I ____________________________ (describe what you did to show how
feeling)
(Write 3 words that describe how you felt)
(Make a statement or ask a question with regard to what is written in the
lines)
18. *All About Me Poem
19. *Pensee
20. Anything Goes! Every year there are complaints that kids don’t get to
demonstrate their own poetry. For a twentieth option, you may include a personal,
original creation of any form or type. Be sure to give it a title.