Ignite Literacy Services

Poets are among the most intelligent people on the planet. They can say so much with just a few words.

Poetry imitation is a wonderful entry into writing.

Writing lessons should follow this sequence:

1. Read a mentor text.
2. Point out the moves the author is making.
3. The teacher models how to imitate the moves.
4. Students imitate the moves in their own writing.

Let me show you how with a fun poem titled “Words” by Matt Eicheldinger in his new book of poetry Holes in my Underwear: 100 Poems that will Knock Your Socks Off.

Analysis of “Words”

This lesson plan is ideal for upper elementary and middle-grade classrooms when you need something quick, engaging, and effective—helping students analyze text and experience an instant win as developing writers.

Give the students the text (printable below). Have them read it silently and then ask them to share their initial reactions.

Then have them silently reread and label everything they notice.

Then bring it whole group and discuss everything they labeled. You annotate it on the board and they write it on thier papers. This can include:

• free verse (no rhyme scheme)
• two stanzas
• first stanza is one sentence
• second stanza has a list of random silly words at the end, italicized
• juxtaposition (this is the focus of our lesson and what we’ll be imitating)

Juxtaposition is a literary device that puts two opposing ideas next to each other for contrast.

Like the beautiful, flowing words in stanza one next to the list of absurd words listed in stanza two.

The story of Cinderella would be very different if she weren’t juxtaposed with her ugly stepsisters and evil stepmother. Her beauty and kindness stands out next to their opposite natures. Juxtaposition, by Disney.

Can students name any other examples of juxtaposition?

Teacher Model

If Matt Eicheldinger can use juxtaposition, so can we! Brainstorm aloud some opposites you could write about in a poem. Maybe:

• sports: the excitement of winning vs. the disappointment of losing
• the beauty of fall vs. the spookiness of Halloween
• the comfort of friendship vs. the heartbreak of betrayal

Get the students to share out some of their ideas and decide on one as a class.

Then think aloud, talking through every decision that happens in your head as you write in front of your students. Get their input!

You could also imitate his other choices, like making one stanza a well-written, flowing sentence, and the other ending with a list of words. Juxtaposition in grammatical structure!

Point out the juxtaposition of your class masterpiece at the end!

Students Write

Now it’s their turn! Have them jot their topic or turn and talk to share their idea before they write.

Give them 7-10 minutes of silent writing time.

Write your own while they write. Then let students share out their poems if they want. Start share time by reading yours out loud.

Class Rule: Everyone claps enthusiastically, at least five claps, after each person reads their work aloud.

I like giving one positive comment after each student shares. That’s it. Applause, validation, then move on. They know what’s going to happen if they put themselves out there and share their work.

This is how you grow writers.

Try it out and let me know how it goes! I’m cheering for you.

Notes:

I am not affiliated with Matt Eicheldinger nor get any benefit from promoting his work. I sincerely just liked this poem and did ask permission to share it.

Don’t let this bypass your teacher model, but here’s my imitation in case it helps to get your gears going:

More Poetry Ideas:

• Poem of the Week
• 41 Poems I Love to Teach in the Middle Grades
• Poetry Madness

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