INTRODUCTION: Using Visual Arts in a Poetry Workshop
Howard Gardener’s theory of multiple intelligences gave language to an important educational idea. Each student is individual and has a distinct way of learning. It is important to engage young people in different ways throughout the workshop series. In the “Burn Images” lesson, students use visual representation to analyze my poem, “Burn.”
An important skill any writer must develop is, “Show, Don’t Tell.” Paint a picture. Show the reader/listener the world you are inviting them into. Students are assigned to groups of three to five. First, they read the poem in its entirety. Each group is assigned a stanza to discuss and interpret. After they write down the meaning of the stanza, they then draw an image that brings the words to life.
An important skill any writer must develop is, “Show, Don’t Tell.” Paint a picture. Show the reader/listener the world you are inviting them into. Students are assigned to groups of three to five. First, they read the poem in its entirety. Each group is assigned a stanza to discuss and interpret. After they write down the meaning of the stanza, they then draw an image that brings the words to life.

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LESSON PLAN
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
ASSESSMENT
Each group presents back to the class: their stanza, the message and the images they created.
HOMEWORK
Write a poem about your vision for society.
- Students will analyze the use of imagery in a poem.
- Students will understand why it is important to “Show, Don’t Tell, ” in their poetry.
- Colored pencils or markers and large paper
- Mentor Text: “Burn,” by kahlil almustafa
- GROUPS: Groups of 3-5 students are assigned one stanza in the poem, “Burn,” by kahlil almustafa.
- READ & DISCUSS: Students read the poem in its entirety and discuss. Then they read their assigned stanza and discuss in-depth.
- INTERPRET: Each group writes down the message of their stanza. Then they draw a visual representation of the stanza.
ASSESSMENT
Each group presents back to the class: their stanza, the message and the images they created.
HOMEWORK
Write a poem about your vision for society.