A lesson plan in which students create their own multi-media epic poems about the year 1900. Walt Whitman's Song of Myself and Hart Crane's The Bridge serve as artistic models for students, who also draw on life histories, sound recordings, and other primary resources.

Sometime after 1492, the concept of the New World or America came into being, and this concept appeared differently — as an experience or an idea — for different people and in different places. This semester, we will read three groups of texts: first, participant accounts of contact between native Americans and French or English speaking Europeans, both in North America and in the Caribbean and Brazil; second, transformations of these documents into literary works by contemporaries; third, modern texts which take these earlier materials as a point of departure for rethinking the experience and aftermath of contact. The reading will allow us to compare perspectives across time and space, across the cultural geographies of religion, nation and ethnicity, and finally across a range of genres — reports, captivity narratives, essays, novels, poetry, drama, and film. Some of the earlier authors we will read are Michel Montaigne, William Shakespeare, Jean de Léry, Daniel Defoe and Mary Rowlandson; more recent authors include Derek Walcott, and J. M. Coetzee.

When children hear, write, and recite poetry, they understand more deeply the qualities of verse — the importance of sound, compactness, internal integrity, imagination and line. Working collaboratively on poetry provides a safe structure for student creativity. Using resources available through EDSITEment, make poetry exciting for your students as they listen to, write and recite poems that are sure to please.

This site investigates what the American Dream has meant over the years to poets, politicians, comedians, musicians, photographers, lawyers, reporters, and others. Students may contribute to the Student Gallery and post their dreams on a Wall of Dreams.

The purpose of this project is two-fold: first, to encourage students to make the reading of poetry a creative act; and, second, to help students appreciate particular literary devices in their functions as semaphores or interpretive signals. Those devices that are about the imagery of a poem (metaphor, simile, personification, description) can be thought of as magnifying glasses: we see most clearly that upon which the poet focuses our gaze. Similarly, those poetic devices that are about the sound of the poem (alliteration, consonance, enjambment, onomatopoeia, and repetition) can be thought of as volume buttons or amplifiers: we hear most clearly what the poet makes us listen to most attentively.

Several hundred annotations to Hart Crane's challenging modernist poem of 1930, "The Bridge."

Do you want to get more out of your reading of poetry? This unit is designed to develop the analytical skills you need for a more in-depth study of literary texts. You will learn about rhythm, alliteration, rhyme, poetic inversion, voice and line lengths and endings. You will examine poems that do not rhyme and learn how to compare and contrast poetry.

The Bedouins of ancient Arabia and Persia made poetry a conversational art form. Several poetic forms developed from the participatory nature of tribal poetry. Today in most Arabic cultures, you may still experience public storytelling and spontaneous poetry challenges in the streets. The art of turning a rhyme into sly verbal sparring is considered a mark of intelligence and a badge of honor. Students will learn about the origins and structure of Arabic Poetry.

Students will be able to understand the theme of this poem and relate to the poet.

In Philip Levine's post-war poem, Belle Isle, 1949, two strangers meet, swim, and part, exploring themes of connection, boundaries, and where we come from. This video segment comes from Poetry Everywhere.

Boston based artists discuss the meaning of Black art. Host Jim Spruill leads a discussion among 17 Boston-based artists on what Black art is and to whom the Black artist speaks. Group assembled includes Orma Jo Flint, Steve Hussein, Hakim Jami, Bob Nellums, Joanne Robinson, Robert Ruff, Joanne Sanders, Ralf Coleman, Ali Yusef, Carolyn Fitchert, Charles Holley, Gary Rickson, Dana Chandler, Jr., Lovett Thompson, John Wilson, and Elma Lewis. Program includes stills of the work of featured painters and sculptors woven into the discussion, with featured performances by the musicians, dancers and poets. Featured performers include Ali Yusef Trio and the Negro Repertory Theatre. Produced by Ray Richardson. Directed by Stan Lathan.

This class is an interdisciplinary survey that explores the experiences of people of African descent through the overlapping approaches of history, literature, anthropology, legal studies, media studies, performance, linguistics, and creative writing. It connects the experiences of African Americans and of other American minorities, focusing on social, political, and cultural histories, and on linguistic patterns. Activities include lectures, discussions, workshops, and required field trips that involve minimal cost to students.

African American youth and education in Boston. Program consists of numerous community affairs segments, the most prominent of which is a panel discussion directed by Sarah-Ann Shaw on African American youth and education in Boston. Guests include Jean McGuire (Roxbury resident and only Black Pupil Adjustment Counselor for the Boston public school system), Gerald Hill (an African American teacher and nominee for Interim Project Director of the King-Timilty Coalition), Francine Mills (director of a vocational program for Operation Exodus), John Jackson (an African American teacher involved with experimental work-study program of Boston public schools), and Patricia Raynor (parent and member of the Parents' Education Committee). Additional segments include musical performances by Gwen Michaels and The Stark Reality, a poetry reading by Linda Hall, staff reflections on a recent African-style wedding in Boston, and a reading of the community news by Jacqueline Banks. Produced by Jim Boyd. Directed by Stan Lathan.

Follow Irish poet Seamus Heaney through his poem, Blackberry-Picking, featured in this video segment from Poetry Breaks. Like many of Heaney's poems, Blackberry-Picking combines the power of memory and nature.

'Blast from the Past' features an excerpt from a 1968 Say Brother interview with poet and playwright Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) at Tufts University. Baraka talks about the importance of African Americans trying to be Black as a means to raise themselves above the 'filth of easy accommodation in the white world.'

Everett Goodwin reads from his poem 'To A Down and Out Brother, 'Program consists of an interview with Washington, DC poet and playwright Everett Goodwin. Host Barbara Barrow speaks with Goodwin about the ideas behind his poems, how he started writing and getting published, and issues related to the production of his upcoming play. Program includes Goodwin's readings from his book of poems The Blues Ain't Nothing But a Poem, including, 'Loving Nothing But The Blues,' 'To A Down and Out Brother,' 'Love Poem for Shauna,' and 'Ode to Reefer'). Program includes the 'Community Calendar.' Produced by Barbara Barrow. Directed by Conrad White.

Refresh your memory Learn about poetic devices and identify them in the poem.

Christopher Lydon interviews Bill Lee (pitcher, Montreal Expos) at Fenway Park. Lee discusses the possibility of a baseball strike. Lee talks about unions and his feelings about baseball. Lee says that he is no longer 'addicted' to baseball. This compilation tape has three essays by Robert J. Lurtsema about the coming of summer, the coming of fall and barnacles. Lydon reports on the upcoming preliminary elections for the Boston City Council. Lydon analyzes voting patterns in various districts and the political networks of some candidates. Lydon notes that there has been little voter interest in the campaign. The report includes interviews with and profiles of candidates Maureen Craven Slade, Craig Lankhorst, and Stephen Michaels. Lydon reports from the Boston Celtics' practice court in Brookline. Lydon interviews Ernie DiGregorio (basketball player) and Nate 'Tiny' Archibald for the report. Lydon's second report on the upcoming preliminary elections for Boston City Council includes footage from interviews with several candidates including Maura Hennigan, James Kelly, David Scondras, Charles Yancey, Ed McNamara, and Michael McCormack. The candidates talk about voter anger and apathy, the city's fiscal crisis, the need for better city services and the policies of Kevin White (Mayor of Boston). Lydon interviews Donald Woods (South African journalist) about South Africa. Woods criticizes the US veto of the United Nations condemnation of the South African invasion of Angola. Woods says that the white minority in South Africa must negotiate with the black majority in order to avoid a civil war. Woods compares the political situations in South Africa to that of Northern Ireland.

In this interdisciplinary seminar, we explore a variety of visual and written tools for self exploration and self expression. Through discussion, written assignments, and directed exercises, students practice utilizing a variety of media to explore and express who they are.