Inspiration A traditional ode is written to honor a person, event, or thing (think “Ode on a Grecian Urn). Odes usually have 3-5 stanzas of about 10 lines each and may or may not rhyme. These are suggestions, but as always, don’t feel tied to …
August: 3/5-Day Writing Challenge
Inspiration Childhood is a magical time for many of us, but certainly not all of us. Write a poem in which you paint a picture of your childhood for the reader. Process What was your childhood like? How would you describe your hometown to someone …
August: 2/5-Day Writing Challenge
Inspiration A blackjack poem is simply a 3 lined poem comprised of 7 syllables in each line for a total of 21 syllables. Unlike a haiku which is normally about nature, blackjack can be about anything. Process When I think of the word blackjack, I …
August: 1/5-Day Writing Challenge
Inspiration All of us make lists, right? Grocery lists, to-do lists, playlists, top-ten lists, lists of goals, and so on. Some lists are more insightful than others. Kwame Alexander’s poem, “Ten Reasons Why Fathers Cry at Night” offers us a peek into his mind as …
July: 5/5-Day Writing Challenge
Today’s writing inspiration comes from Kimberly Johnson, Ed.D. She is a literacy coach and media specialist in a public school in rural Georgia. A former public school classroom teacher for 20 Years, she taught all grades except 4th and 12th, and she is the author …
July: 4/5-Day Writing Challenge
Today’s writing inspiration comes from Kimberly Johnson, Ed.D. She is a literacy coach and media specialist in a public school in rural Georgia. A former public school classroom teacher for 20 Years, she taught all grades except 4th and 12th, and she is the author …
July: 3/5-Day Writing Challenge
Today’s writing inspiration comes from Kimberly Johnson, Ed.D. She is a literacy coach and media specialist in a public school in rural Georgia. A former public school classroom teacher for 20 Years, she taught all grades except 4th and 12th, and she is the author …
July: 2/5-Day Writing Challenge
Today’s writing inspiration comes from Kimberly Johnson, Ed.D. She is a literacy coach and media specialist in a public school in rural Georgia. A former public school classroom teacher for 20 Years, she taught all grades except 4th and 12th, and she is the author …
May #verselove: Summer Tank(a)
We developed such a wonderful community around poetry during April’s National Poetry Month celebration, that we have decided to keep the #verselove going. On the third Tuesday of every month, Ethical ELA will celebrate all that writing poems can do for our hearts and minds …
Sixteen #verselove2019 with Anna Roseboro
Inspiration: Pantoum Writing unlocks thoughts and feelings we may be surprised we have. You want to explore your thoughts about a memorable incident! It could be a good, bad, embarrassing or insightful one. Here’s a poem structure that will pull ideas from your heart and …