For the past few years, my co-teacher and I have done a March Madness Poetry Bracket with our 8th graders, but this year we decided to do it in our 6th and 7th grade classes. I was a bit nervous, at first, thinking that they would not like it. I wondered if it would be too hard.
Per usual, my 6th graders are blowing me away!
Here are a few things that were said today that filled my heart.
"Mrs. Morris, who won the match-up from yesterday?"
When asked about today's match-up, a student smiled and said, "I loved today's poems! This match-up is my favorite!"
"Langston Hughes is a great poet! I can't wait for his match."
"Are you sure that poem won? I feel like everyone I talked to voted for the other poem."
"Wow! I really liked how you explained the meaning of the poem."
"Ooohh! I really like that poem."
They are reading poetry! They are talking about poetry! They like poetry!
It can't get any better than that!
This looks fantastic! I did a poetry bracket as a way to transition back into school in January. The kids loved it.
ReplyDeleteI did this once and it was so much fun! It sounds like your students are highly engaged with this. I like how you matched them up!
ReplyDeleteLove the excitement around poetry! What a great idea to partner a living with a deceased poet around a similar topic. This must have been so energizing for you. Oh what fun!
ReplyDeleteI love poetry. And I knew that made me an odd kid. It warms my heart to hear about your students getting into it and loving poetry. It's awesome.
ReplyDeleteThe highest praise! I'd love to see a list of your pairings.
ReplyDeleteThis is a brilliant idea! Saving this to plan for some poetry activities in the library with 8th graders in a few weeks.
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