By Kristin, Tanuj, and Kiarah.

Thoughts and Inspirations from your Lesson

Poetry is vulnerable and yet so so fun. How do we help students people feel comfortable to participate? For me, the option to complete it alone is key. Below I have written a poem trying to incorporate some of the techniques you intend to teach, inspired by the way it feels to let ideas flow instead of stopping them in fear.

Read my poem out loud?

Read my poem out loud?
The last time I spoke in public – I – I – I 
was speechless.
Shaking and quivering, in my boots,
like a cold winters day and I forgot my jacket. 

But now, alone in my room, 
I have warmed up.
No longer ice, the poetry flows, 
and waters the parts of me
where fear, was still as rock. 

Read my poem to myself?
The words pause, lash, and slow, 
exactly where they are supposed to.
Speaking for itself,
speaking for me. 


Additional Thoughts

  1. We are not able to view the Power Point slides, are you able to update the link?
  2. The instructions associated with slides 3-7 do not include independent instructions, are these on the slides? If not, have you considered adding additional information for people completing it on their own?
  3. Are there any additional tools you could use to engage people working virtually in different ways? (ex. videos explaining the techniques, or poetry readings, to diversify from al the slide reading.)
  4. Do you have any prompts or additional resources available for students who want to take this further but need guidance or direction?
  5. Are there any opportunities for individual/virtual assessment other than self reflection? (ex. a quiz with answers to meet the identification/recognition learning outcomes, or a virtual space for peer interaction and student to student assessment).

We really enjoyed this lesson and the opportunities to engage with different poetry. Here’s hoping it inspires some of your learners to go even further in their own learning!