8th Grade Poetry Packet Name: ______
Create ten (10) poems choosing from the types listed below. Be sure to follow the specific directions and/or requirements with each type of poem attached to this cover sheet. Remember to watch for specific number of lines, syllables, rhyme, part of speech, etc. Check off the type of poem you created as you complete them.
(The * poems may be found online on the “instant poetry” site linked from my web page.)
1. ____ *Rhetorical Questions
2. ____ *Verb Verse
3. ____ Clause Poetry
4. ____ *Some of My Best Friends Are
5. ____ Quinzaine
6. ____ Month Metaphor
7. ____ Monorhyme
8. ____ “If I Were In Charge of the World”
9. ____ Octopoem
10. ____When I Poetry
11. ____ One Sentence Poetry
12. ____ *Tanka
13. ____ The Plagiarist Poem (AKA Model Poem)
14. ____ Synonym Poetry (three required)
15. _____ “How To” Poetry
16. _____ “If I Could Be” Poetry
17. _____ Emotion Poem
18. _____ Parts of Speech Poem
19. _____* Biography Poem
20. _____ Anything Goes!
8th Grade Poetry Packet 2015
Poetry Packet Requirements:
1. Poems do not need to be typed, but they must be ink. Feel free to add any color or any special decorations, clip art, etc. for a nicer presentation.
2. Each poem has specific directions: you will be graded on your poems’ creativity as well as your ability to follow the specific directions and requirements for each one.
3. Each poem should have a title and your name should be at the conclusion of each poem. Yes, that means your name will appear ten times.
4. No more than two poems may appear on one page.
5. Preceding each poem title should be the type of poem you’ve created as well as the number assigned to it from the list of 20 on the checklist page. The checklist page should be included with your poetry packet.
6. Spelling counts! Triple check your work!
Here’s the web address:
7. http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/newpoem.htm
Poem List Directions:
1. *Rhetorical Question
2. *Verb Verse
3. Clause Poetry
1. You must write two stanzas of five lines each.
2. The first four lines of each stanza must begin with a subordinating conjunction
and cannot be a complete sentence.
4. Each line of dependent clauses must begin with a different subordinating conjunction.
5. The last line of the stanza must be a complete sentence.
6. Include a creative title (1-3 words)
Example: Time for Me
Whenever June arrives ,
After the rain storms have passed,
Before the flowers have all bloomed,
While waving goodbye to 8th graders,
I start to plan a fulfilling summer.
When I arrive at the library,
As I am chatting with the librarian,
Before the adventures begin,
Even though I love Netflix,
I gleefully choose several books to devour.
4. *Some of My Best Friends Are
5. Quinzaine: Poetry that is composed of just 15 syllables.
Line 1: 7 syllables - make a statement
Line 2: 5 syllables - start a question about the subject
Line 3: 3 syllables - finish the question (don’t answer it)
Him Friends
I want him back as you see Would never leave me alone
Why do this to me What inspires them
in this way? to stay here?
6. Month Metaphor Poem- choose a month and think about motion words, and how if that month were a person or an animal, how it would arrive. This poem should have no less than six lines, and six action/motion verbs. (see example motion words ) Every line should have a unique action verb!
Some motion words to help you
.
march wobble creep steal stagger sneak stumble bound
skip zoom trot bounce prance tramp totter dart
float dance strut lope tiptoe shuffle skate trudge
gallop scurry slide plod hop spring leap advance
limp glide slink drag hobble flutter skulk slip
canter lurch crawl saunter
Examples:
April March
Falls in Jumps in
On beautiful blankets of flowers Pulling clouds of snow
And newborn babies And bites of frost
It calls in the rain Tip toes out
And struts away with the wind With warmer breezes
Then flutters in the warmth. Shuffling in the spring.
7. Monorhyme: poetry in which all lines have the same end rhyme
- Can be no less than 10 lines-
Late for Class
I realized it was half past four
When I, quite late, ran out the door.
My history class I so abhor,
But I missed two sessions the week before.
I failed a test on ancient lore
And forgot the date of the Second World War.
(Man, my brain was really sore.)
Up the marble stairs I tore,
And slid across a just-mopped floor:
I banged my knee and loudly swore,
To wake -again- at half past four!
These nightmares I can stand no more...
8. “If I Were In Charge of the World” :
(No less than 12 lines)
Begin your first line with the above title,
Create a four line stanza of what you would do to change the world
Repeat the line again
Create another four line stanza of what you wouldn’t do
Repeat the title
Create a four line stanza of things to change
If I Were in Charge of the World
I’d create a four day weekend
Make bad grammar illegal
Ban skinny jeans
Make chocolate taste like carrots and carrots taste like chocolate
If I Were in Charge of the World
I wouldn’t allow political ads on television
I wouldn’t require a pass to go everywhere in the school
I wouldn’t permit nasty, rude comments on a Facebook page
I wouldn’t allow anyone to wear Crocs or stretchpants in public places
If I Were in Charge of the World
School libraries would have couches and coffee bars
Smoking and snapping gum would be criminal offenses
Snow would could only happen from December 15th to January 2nd
One free trip to Disney World for everyone!
If I were in Charge of the World
9. Octopoem: an 8 lines (not words) poem in which you insert creative and original words and phrases that must include each of the following:
Line 1- a color
Line 2- a season
Line 3- a place
Line 4- a type of weather
Line 5- a type of clothing
Line 6- a piece of furniture
Line 7- a TV show
Line 8- a type of food
10. “When I” Poetry:
Choose a moment or incident in your life and “freeze” it; explore and delve into what you thinking and considering. It could be a mundane or average duty, or it could be something more elaborate. Possible topics: When I turned 13, When I lift the garbage lid, When I first saw ______, When I get up in the morning, When I have fears, When I heard______, When I think of ______
This poem should be no less than 10 lines
When I Make Grilled Cheese Sandwich by a former student
When I make a grilled cheese sandwich
I first choose the perfect bread
Then I find a utensil
And the butter I evenly spread
The buttered bread goes on the skillet
Then I add a slice of cheese
It could be white American,
Or any cheese I please
I turn on the burner
To just the perfect heat
And on the second slice of bread
The buttering process I repeat
Once both sides are golden brown
I wolf my grilled cheese sandwich down
11. One Sentence Poetry:
Create a poem that is 10 to 12 lines long and contains only one sentence.
Something to Eat
In the midst of my poetry writing,
Which is the ruin of my weekend,
With papers scattered everywhere
And my mom pushing me on
I feel an empty feeling,
As my stomach screams out loud,
And thoughts of pizza and root beer
Start filling my brain
Pushing out any thoughts of poetry
That I am supposed to be writing,
The suddenly realizing
This is my “one sentence” poem! - a former student
12 *Tanka
LINE 1 Five syllables: Describe when it happened
LINE 2 Seven syllables: Describe what happened
LINE 3 Five syllables: Your worst fear
LINE 4 Seven syllables: A positive outcome from the experience
LINE 5 Seven syllables: One life lesson you learned as a result
Waste of Time
Friday afternoon
Blue screen of death server crash
Precious data gone
Do it over and over
Never forget to back up
13. The Plagiarist Poem (AKA Model Poem)- One of the greatest forms of flattery is imitation. Be sure to include the original poem and author you imitate!
Choose a poem and create a similar poem, using the same rhyme, rhythm, pattern, etc., but not the same topic. ~
14. Synonym Poetry (three required):
Choose any word, and write that word in capital letter in the first line. In a thesaurus (or an online dictionary/thesaurus) look up that word and locate three to five synonyms for it. Write the synonyms on the second line. On the third line, write a descriptive phrase about the word. The last two lines of the poem should rhyme.
LOVE
Attachment, adoration, warmth, adore
Love is so pure, right down to the core
ENGLISH
Words, thoughts, ideas, expression
Control of your language is the greatest possession M. Sohns
15. “How to Poetry”
Create a poem telling how to eat spaghetti, get away with a lie, how to ask for a date, how to sharpen a pencil, how to kiss a snake, how to become dust, how to avoid someone, how to get straight “A’s”…it could be funny or serious. Use interesting and creative techniques in your instructions.
This poem should be no less than 10 lines.
How to Annoy Eighth Graders
Start by insisting that they sit in an assigned seat.
Require all assignments be completed in ink.
Ask, “I don’t know, can you go to the bathroom?”
Act as if grammar makes the world go ‘round
Avoid any eye contact if hand is raised only when Jolly Rancher is offered
Ask them a question when they are not paying attention
Look perturbed when they ask, “Can I ask a question?”
Have them repeat “Not is not a verb” hundreds of time
Firmly reply, “NO!” when they request lav or water or nurse
Always give homework
Smile brightly and say, “Text dependent question assignment!” every week.
16. “If I Could Be” Poetry: No less than five lines
Line #1: If I could be ______
Line #2: I'd ______(describe what you would do)
Line #3: ______(describe how you would do it)
Line #4: ______(describe where you would do it)
Line #5: (Exclamation that shows how you would feel
17. Emotion Poem: No less than three lines
Title: Emotion (Choose one emotion - happiness, anger, excitement, fear)
Line #1: I ______(describe what you did to show how you were feeling)
Line #2: (Write 3 words that describe how you felt)
Line #3: (Make a statement or ask a question with regard to what is written in the first two lines)
18. Parts of Speech Poem
Follow the pattern below to create an imaginative parts of speech poem focusing on a single subject.
Example:
TitleAdjective, adjective noun verb adverb
Simile
Adjective, adjective noun verb adverb
Noun verb; noun verb
Noun, noun, noun verb adverb
Simile
Present participle, present participle, present participle
Adjective, adjective noun verb prepositional phrase
Adjective noun verb
Adjective noun verb
Adjective noun verb adverb
Optional free line / Cloud
Wavering, spectral cloud wanders aimlessly
As a lost and lonesome traveler.
Slow, gentle form glides softly.
Rain falls; thunder purrs
Hailstones, snowflakes, raindrops huddle together
Like unborn creatures crowded in a womb
Waiting, growing, tossing
Heavy, burdened cloud hovers like a troubled thought
Glistening droplets cascade,
Drifting wind whispers,
Gentle storm begins quietly,
The cloud rolls on its way.
19. *Biography Poem ~ Choose a famous person or someone in your life
20. Anything Goes! Every year there are complaints that kids don’t get to demonstrate their own poetry. For a twentieth option, you may include a personal, original creation of any form or type. Be sure to give it a title.