Sixth Grade Explores Lives and Works of Famous Poets

As part of National Poetry Month, Barnesville sixth graders each conducted biographical research about a famous poet and then analyzed one of their poems, presenting highlights to an audience of fellow students and their parents.
After listening and reading a variety of poems, students were encouraged to select a poet that interested them. They used a variety of sources to craft a timeline, using images and narrative explanations to document milestone’s in their subject’s life and career.
After learning about the people, students then chose one of their poems to analyze. Within the confines of a succinct two-paragraph paper, students were challenged to provide an overview of the poem, an explanation of how figurative language is used, and their reaction to the poem.
Students then had to cull their research and analysis into a powerpoint presentation about the poem and the poet, using proper source citations. All of their work culminated in engaging their audience at a booth showcasing the poet and their work.
“I was very impressed with the selection of different poets,” said Middle School Language Arts Teacher Tara Barnhart. “The students delivered excellent oral presentations and really had a solid grasp of the material. They answered questions with ease and accuracy.”
Students explored the lives and works of the following poets: Maya Angelou, Elizabeth Bishop, Ray Bradbury, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Nikki Giovanni, Edgar Allan Poe, William Shakespeare, Shel Silverstein, Henry David Thoreau, Mark Twain, and Judith Viorst.
Photos are on Facebook.

Barnesville School of Arts & Sciences is an independent private school in Montgomery County, Maryland offering innovative preschool through 8th grade programs. Cross-curricular teaching encourages students to explore how subjects relate to one another, helping them to make connections that spark inquiry and deepen understanding. Small classes enable skilled teachers to engage each child in an academically challenging environment. Our 30-acre campus is our extended classroom, and we integrate nature into everyday learning.