Open Road

Stacey Michaud

When I was identifying other possible types of poetry to discuss, I came across this amazing website developed by the folks at the Educational Technology Training Center (ETTC).  It contains over 70 different instant poetry forms.  You click on the type of poem you want and follow the prompts to fill in the blanks.  Viola!  You become the next William Shakespeare!   While it is not quite that easy, this approach can lead you to very unique journaling. 

One of the poems from the ETTC site involves the use of metaphors to describe a friend.  My students know that the best poets frequently rely on figurative language, incorporating metaphors into their compositions.  Metaphors compare two seemingly unrelated subjects.  These are meant to enliven language and say a plethora of things in only a few words.  The task is to simply make a list of ten things that remind you of a friend and then turn each one into a metaphor by starting each sentence with “He/She is...”  Nicole used this technique beautifully to create a poem that eloquently describes her friend.

Editor’s Notes:  I am super impressed with the rhythm and flow of the poetry that Nicole was able to write. It adds a special touch to her layout, evoking images of her and her friend that are relatable.  The photograph and simple design scheme keep the focus on the overall theme of the layout.

One of the more challenging poems on the ETTC site is the Name Poem.  The aim is to describe yourself through the use of adjectives, colors, experiences and a significant other in your life.  Direct prompts are provided along with the fill-in-the-blank format to lead you to be reflective and arrive at insightful answers.  Jen’s imaginative layout and touching journaling showcase just how special this type of poem can be! 

Design notes: I used masking tape to mark off a square, painted around the edges of the tape and let it dry. Then I removed the tape and added journaling strips.  This was such a unique project. At first I was kind of worried that it wouldn't sound right but once I got going it was just so much fun!

Of course, a poetry unit cannot end without teaching students to have a sense of humor!  Not all poetry needs to be flowery or romantic.  And it certainly does not need to only be about another person.  Instead, write about everyday objects in a new way by using a Noun Poem for the journaling.  Quite simply, you decide on the noun, write four adjectives to describe it, and write three phrases that tell what that noun does.  The end result has a flow that is different from ordinary sentences.  How else would I have created a layout about my cell phone without it sounding boring? 

Design notes: Writing poetry involves having an open mind, allowing yourself to be creative.  The instant poetry forms provide so many fun options to work with!  I placed my journaling to the side to allow it to stand out on the layout.

Cell phone 911 by Stacey Michaud.  Supplies:  Paper, Die-cut Tag, Rub-ons:  Fancy Pants, Epoxy Stickers:  SEI, Alphabet:  Sweetwater, Heidi Grace, Brads:  Making Memories.  Metal-rimmed Tags:  Making Memories, Other:  paperclip. Journaling:  Cell phone.  Abandoned, lonely, outdated, unused.  Collects a ton of unheard voice messages, sits on the bottom of my messy purse as it constantly waits to be charged. There is no better way to celebrate the month of February than to channel your inner poet!  Especially when there are so many fabulous fill-in-the-blank activities out there just waiting for you!  Interested in sharing your journaling ideas or layouts where the focus is on the writing?  Want to be a guest designer for future Open Road columns?  Contact stacey@scrapstreet.com today!

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