Read it, hear it, see it, do it! Young poets experience Edward Hirsch's memory poem, "Cotton Candy," by first closely reading the poem silently, then aloud, watching a video of the poet reading it, and crafting their memory poem of an older person in their life.

Concepts

poetry, poetry analysis, building community, memory, peer editing, imagery, metaphors, figurative language

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Post photographs and poems on a memory wall
• Use the lesson during April's National Poetry Month
• Have writers share their poems with family members

Classroom Considerations

• Requires a projection device for the video

Pros

• Class members develop the rubric for the assignment
• Includes suggestions for how to share the class's poems with the community

Cons

• None

Common Core

CCRA.R.7 CCRA.SL.2