What Is Poetry?

This lesson is designed as an introduction to a poetry unit, with the aim of addressing and challenging students’ pre-existing knowledge of “poetry”. It was originally planned for a set two Year 9 class and led to a very engaged and interesting lesson. However, I reckon it could be used for any age up the the start of Year 12. Includes a short writing activity at the end (plenary), but otherwise is open discussion.

The slides present different poems (or songs) without the title or writer, and are intended to be presented in the order they are currently in. The first one may be familiar to them, and uses traditional poetic techniques they will recognise. After that, things get weirder. With each slide, the initial questions from the teacher should be ‘Is this a poem?’, and then ‘Why?’ and/or ‘Why not?’, without telling them where it’s from or who wrote it until at least halfway through the discussion. Includes notes in presentation.