Poetry Board Game: Small Group

How to use:

• Review elements of poetry and how to find theme, as needed using the mini-lesson(s) in STAAR Bootcamp

• Pull a few students for small group instruction - Close reading and analysis of invitation by Mackenzie Connellee
• 1st reading requires no annotation ( can be pre-work)
• 2nd reading - have students annotate for any obvious poetic devices such as metaphors, alliteration, punctuation, etc.
• Students "play" the game (click How to play for instructions), using their annotated copy for reference
• The teacher facilitates discussion and requires text evidence/explanation.
• Students can practice independently after the small group reteach with a new poem.
• Follow-up, or exit ticket, can be a short constructed response (SCR) or other written product.
• Question for SCR: What is the theme of this poem? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
• Their notes and discussion should help them construct and support their answer.

What is a connection you can make to the phrase "homeless free-verse poem?"

What is the poet saying about poetry when they use personification in lines 11-12?

What mood is set by the lack of capital letters, but proper punctuation?

What idea is emphasized when the poet says "usually poetry slops lazily over the couch of a page?"

What key word/words signal the poet's attitude has shifted?

What is the speaker's attitude about writing poetry?

What is the purpose of the first stanza?

What is implied by the poet using the word afford in line 4?

What process is the poet describing when they say "i remove its muddy shoes and rearrange the pillows?"

Click to roll

The game of

SUSPENS

POEMOPOLY

What is the theme of this poem?

Why is Frost capitalized in line 23?

How to play

The mood shifts in line 26. What does it shift to?

TILES AND HOUSES

What is meant by "poetry in rhyme always cleans up after itself?"

GO

What is the likely reason the poet left a space between lines 7 & 8?

What tone is created by the poet only using lowecase?

What do the contrasting images in lines 17 - 22 suggest?

What idea is emphasized by the simile in lines 7-8?

Explain why the title of the poem is effective.

What mood is illustrated in lines 10-25?

The idea emphasized here is that poetry is messy and needs to be revised and reworked.

The first stanza is used to establish that the speaker wishes they had more time to write poetry.

The mood set by the lack of capital letters is very informal and relaxed, similar to texting.

In line 26, the words "although honestly," signify a shift in attitude or tone.

The poet uses this phrase similarly to referring to a free-spirited friend.

The speaker loves to write poetry.

The poet is saying that poetry is always on their mind.

There will be a high price to pay if they don't pay attention in class.

The poet is describing the revising process.

Click to roll

The game of

SUSPENS

ANSWER KEY

The theme is that when you really love something, it can consume you.

It's a name (Robert Frost). Shortly after, it is replaced with "his."

Text evidence will vary. Be sure students are supporting their answers with examples from the text.

The mood shifts to respect from frustration.

TILES AND HOUSES

When poetry rhymes, it is easier to fix or revise.

GO

They suggest that sometimes the words come abruptly, and other times they are easy.

It is likely that the space represents a pause because they are thinking of the right words.

The title is effective because they are welcoming the word to write their poem.

The idea is that you can't just call the words when you want them.

The tone created with all lowercase is very nonchalant.

The speaker is frustrated because they have writer's block.