Ernesto M. Garay

Poetic-History in Action is an exceptional comprehensive poetic-arts curriculum for grades K-4 to high school. By reading and writing poetry, students will explore their personal history through the poetic narrative, recreating a time in history. Their poetic creation will integrate easily with state standards for history and English at any grade level.  Each session will include the following elements: the creation of the poetic voice and tone, the development of a historical space for the main character to be in and, the use of free verse poetry and literary devices, such as the metaphor and simile. No pressure! the class objective is to have fun by reading and writing poetry!

Students will collectively read one short free verse poem per week by an accomplished poet like Tupac Amaru Shakur, who is also considered by many to be one of the greatest hip hop artists of all time. They will engage in short and informal class discussions regarding the reading of such as an assigned poem. This will help students generate their thoughts and ideas for the writing of their poetic narrative. During each class, students are given the writing prompt of the week and the opportunity to write a poem of their own and recite it to their classmates (optional).  For instance, students will be prompted to imagine a time when they walked in the streets or park, encountering a swarm of butterflies.  Prompts will also include creating a character that encounters a caged bird that doesn’t sing and what does it symbolize?  Bring Poetic-History in action to your school and prepare your students for a brilliant and creative future.