MY FAVORITE POEM PROJECT
According to Robert Pinsky, our 39th United States Poet Laureate (1997), the power of a poem lies in the heart of the individual. His book, Americans' Favorite Poems includes classic and contemporary poems, which were chosen by citizens of all ages, with commentary about why these words meant something special. Each poet laureate, whose talent and passion earned his or her this award, chooses how to promote poetry in our country, state, or city. Pinsky chose a way for Americans, young and old, to share a poem that has been important to them. He believes in the "vocal experience" of poetry, the art of saying the words aloud with the emphasis and enunciation belonging only to the speaker.
"By reading poems we love aloud, we can learn how much pleasure there can be in the sounds of words. It's as though saying the words of a poem aloud make one feel more able, more capable than in ordinary life. You can concentrate on the physical sounds of the words to a point where they give you an emotional or an intellectual relief. You enter a different state."
Special Links
Background on Robert Pinsky's Favorite Poem Project
Sample Videos
"We Real Cool"
"Yet Do I Marvel"
Twenty-One Poems for AP Literature and Composition
Twenty-One More Poems for AP English
Twenty Must-Read Poems for AP Lit Students
Sample Videos
"We Real Cool"
"Yet Do I Marvel"
Twenty-One Poems for AP Literature and Composition
Twenty-One More Poems for AP English
Twenty Must-Read Poems for AP Lit Students
AP Literature "My Favorite Poem Project"
Finding a Poem
Submitting a Poem
Practicing a Poem
Choosing a Location
The Video Experience
Uploading your project
Sharing
Assessing your project
- Choosing a poem can and should be a personal experience. You will need to read many poems by different poets to find one that speaks to you. You may find a poem you love but think it's too long to memorize. Stretch yourself. If you love it, it may be just the right fit. If you are struggling with how to find a poem, click here. You'll find poems by topic and by poet. Remember that what you choose will be based on who you are right now and not necessarily a poem you loved as a child. Those are certainly fun but will not speak to what you have experienced or who you wish to be. It will take time to find one, but it's time well spent.
- Many of you have listened to a written spoken-word poems. These poems are certainly acceptable, especially if the poets are established, such as Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rupi Kaur, or Sarah Kay. I am also urging you to explore poetry from other literary periods, such as classical Greek or Roman, Renaissance (Shakespeare or Milton), Romantic, Victorian, Modern, and Post-Modern, and certainly poetry from other cultures. Whichever you choose, you should have a thoughtful reason, which you will talk about in your video.
Submitting a Poem
- Once you have found a poem, upload it to a Google document and submit it through Canvas. You will always have an electronic version to use for practice as you are preparing your project. When you submit, please include the following: your name, the poet's name, and the entire poem text.
- You must provide a paper copy for me.
- Make sure you ALWAYS have your poem accessible to you in paper form or on your phone. We will have numerous opportunities for practice, especially during March as we near the time you will share your video with the class.
- Your poem must be AT LEAST 14 lines long and/or be teacher approved by the date on the schedule below.
Practicing a Poem
- Watching others recite their poems will give you ideas about how to read a poem, specifically with expression and movement. Search some Ted Talks, such as Lemon Andersen's "Please Don't Take My Air Jordans," to learn how to use space and voice to your best advantage.
- National poetry slams can also be an excellent source for watching how poets recite. In "Say No," Olivia Gatwood and Megan Falley perform a poem together, which takes practice. You may perform with another student if you feel the poem warrants two voices, but you must have a valid reason for performing together.
Choosing a Location
- Where you choose to video yourself reciting your favorite poem is extremely important. It might be your favorite place in the world - somewhere in your house, at the beach, in the woods, on the basketball court, on a roof (Be careful!), in front of a fireplace, at the mall, in a snow storm, or sitting in a rocking chair. Be creative but not random. This entire project should have meaning and be planned.
- Have a backup plan. Knowing that places and transportation are not always available, think about alternative locations. All should be equally meaningful.
The Video Experience
- How you video yourself is up to you, but you must upload it to Canvas by the date and time specified. Plan ahead and do a "dry run" to be sure it works. Waiting until the night before can pose problems, especially if you are not familiar with the technology you will need. Some of you will be more adept at this than others, so let's take advantage of what we know and help each other.
- Videotaping each other is a great way to approach this project. You can help each other with what to wear, how to stand or sit, movement, and expression. Most of all, it's a good way to get support unless you have a family member who can help.
- If you decide to video yourselves, be mindful of what viewers can see, especially if your location is important to the reading of the poem. If you are at the lake, for example, but we can't see it, you might want to find a way to show us your location before or after the reading.
- Remember, this poem must be memorized. You will have ample time to practice. Know the poem so well that you don't have to worry about the words in order to perform. Concentrate on HOW you deliver it. That is the most important.
- Your video must include certain elements, such as your name, the title and author of the poem, and information about yourself, such as your background with poetry, your personal "story," and/or the reason for choosing the poem.
- Some useful platforms for videotaping your project are: IMovie, WeVideo, Flipgrid, and AdobeSpark. Use whichever platform is the most comfortable for you.
Uploading your project
- Most of you have uploaded documents to Canvas, and many of you have uploaded video projects, so this should not be problematic. If not, please reach out for assistance. Do not assume you can figure it out, and then get "stuck" the night before. Remember, planning ahead is the only way to make sure your project is uploaded in a timely fashion.
- You should upload your link or file to Canvas AND to my email.
Sharing
- Note the schedule below for when we will share our favorite poems.
- You must be present in class on the day we share your video presentation.
Assessing your project
- I'm sure you want to know how you will be assessed on this project. I am including the rubric, which is a holistic score and based on all of the above components, from choosing the poem to the actual uploading. You will be scored on how you approach project, the amount of time you put into the process, and the timeliness of the steps. One of the most important features of this project - aside from having fun with poetry! - is how the poem fits with YOU and the person you are right now. It could speak to your life's journey in thoughtful ways, or it could reflect your attitude toward life and the dreams you have for your future. It might speak to an experience you have had and how you are dealing with it. Or it could be the words themselves - their beauty, their passion, their value.
- What you say about the poem and about yourself will reveal why you chose the poem. As we listen to you, we will learn a bit more about who you are and what you love. Don't rule out humor too. It could be that a poem's humor matches you perfectly. We will love it, I'm sure!
Schedule
Exploring poetry
March 15-16
Choosing and uploading a poem
March 17
Practicing your poem
March 17 - April 22 (We will take class time to practice.)
Videotaping yourself
April 25 - April 29
Uploading your final project
by May 1 at midnight (on Canvas and emailed to me)
Watching the videos
May 2 - 3 (You must be present to watch your video.)
March 15-16
Choosing and uploading a poem
March 17
Practicing your poem
March 17 - April 22 (We will take class time to practice.)
Videotaping yourself
April 25 - April 29
Uploading your final project
by May 1 at midnight (on Canvas and emailed to me)
Watching the videos
May 2 - 3 (You must be present to watch your video.)