MEMORY BANK | view PDF
Genre: Poetry or Prose
Created By: Doug Manuel
Synopsis: Students will dig deep to write about their first memories.
ROMANTICIZING | view PDF
Genre: Poetry
Created By: Katee Rice
Synopsis: Students will recreate an outdoor location using visual details and emotional language.
RECREATING A POETRY SLAM | view PDF
Genre: Poetry
Created By: Chris Speckman and Allyson Horton
Synopsis: Students will use traditional “slam” techniques in performance pieces. See also: The Art of Slam
HALLOWEEN PROMPT | view PDF
Genre: Poetry or Prose
Created By: Chris Speckman
Synopsis: Students will write a scary short story or poem based on memories or some of these first lines.
CELEBRITY COLLISION | view PDF
Genre: Prose
Created By: Chris Speckman (after Johanthan Lethem)
Synopsis: Students will write a comical or serious piece about encountering a celebrity (or celebrities).
HOW YOU LOVE | view PDF
Genre: Poetry
Created By: Allyson Horton (after Major Jackson)
Synopsis: Students will attempt to imitate famous poet Major Jackson by writing a ten-line poem with the title “This is How You…”
SCENE WRITING | view PDF
Genre: Poetry or Prose
Created By: Luke Wortley
Synopsis: Students will create a scene using one character, place, and concrete noun.
MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES | view PDF
Genre: Poetry
Created By: Luke Wortley
Synopsis: Students will work on performing their poems with a specific emotion in mind.
ANIMAL TOTEM / SPIRIT ANIMAL | view PDF
Genre: Prose
Created By: Jenna Caschera
Synopsis: Students will write from the perspective of their chosen animal.
CAPTURING ANIMALS | view PDF
Genre: Poetry
Created By: Ted Hughes
Synopsis: Students will write from the perspective of their chosen animal.
THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT A BLACKBIRD | view PDF
Genre: Poetry
Created By: Luke Wortley (after Wallace Stevens)
Synopsis: Students will about a particular noun thirteen different ways.
FAMILY OF WORDS | view PDF
Genre: Poetry
Created By: Chris Forhan
Synopsis: Students will build a poem by accretion of words and sounds.
CREATION MYTH | view PDF
Genre: Poetry or Prose
Created By: Gynne Cubel
Synopsis: Students will write a poem or story that explains the creation of an entire world.
SWITCH DICTION | view PDF
Genre: Poetry
Created By: Chris Forhan
Synopsis: Students will use both slang and formal language to create a poem.
SECRET PROMPT | view PDF
Genre: Poetry or Prose
Created By: Luke Wortley
Synopsis: Students will use a main character’s secret to build tension in a story or poem.
A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT | view PDF
Genre: Poetry or Prose
Created By: Susan Sutherlin
Synopsis: Students will write a letter to a political figure in the form of a story, poem, essay, etc.
SETTING THE TONE | view PDF
Genre: Poetry or Prose
Created By: Chris Speckman (after Phillip Jason)
Synopsis: Students will create mood through setting.
WISH POEM | view PDF
Genre: Poetry
Created By: Doug Manuel (after Kenneth Koch)
Synopsis: Students will write a poem using structured lines containing the phrase “I Wish”.
LITANY LOVE | view PDF
Genre: Poetry
Created By: Ginnye Cubel (after Kim Addonizio)
Synopsis: Students will write a love poem in litany form.
VONNEGUT | view PDF
Genre: Poetry or Prose
Created By: Luke Wortley (after Kurt Vonnegut)
Synopsis: Students will build an alternate reality or write from the persona of a Kurt Vonnegut character.