ME (MOTH) RESOURCES
This lesson serves as a brief introduction to looking critically at novels in verse. Many students have read individual poems, but have not seen a collection of poems woven together to creative a narrative. Novels in verse have character development, plot, rising and falling action—just like many novels. These materials help guide readers through Me (Moth) and also includes discussion questions that will encourage students to look at theme, setting and literary devices that help the novel move forward.
Furthermore Me (Moth) focuses on diversity, identity and many difficulties that teens, specifically marginalized teens face. It is an excellent tool to open discussions about diversity and the importance of inclusivity in the classroom.
The following material will likely take four days to complete if students read the book(at home) in the span of a week. Day 1: What is a novel in verse and what is Me (Moth) about. Day 2: What is Hoodoo and information on the Navajo Nation Day 3: What is your identity? Why is it important? Day 4: Final discussion questions.
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This lesson also includes a slide show with suggested discussion questions, links and information for students.
WRITING POETRY RESOURCES:
This lesson serves as a brief introduction to creative writing, poetry and analyzing poetry. It focuses on the act and joy of reading, writing and experiencing poetry in its many forms. Hip Hop, spoken word, poetry on the page and music are all topics discussed in this lesson.
The following material will likely take four days to complete. Day 1: Introducing poetry and spoken word. Day 2: Poems on the page, novels in verse and literary devices to help students write poetry. Day 3: Writing prompts 1 and 2. Day 4: Editing poems and sharing work with the class.
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The goal of this lesson is to encourage students to look at poetry more broadly—are song lyrics poetry, what about hip hop song? What makes a poem a poem? What about prose poems? In breaking down the stereotypes of what “poetry” is it becomes more accessible to more students and readers.
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This lesson also includes a slide show with suggested poems, YouTube videos and writing prompts for students.