Exeter-Milligan Update: Jr High Poetry

Academic Poetry

Junior high students at Exeter-Milligan High School are celebrating National Poetry Month, in April, by discovering poetry in their academic subjects.  After spending eight months of writing formal paragraphs, essays, and test prompts, students are exploring new ways of looking at their textbooks.  Their first exercise was to make poetic line breaks out of academic prose.  This gave them a new perspective on core subjects such as history, science and math.

The 8th Graders are discussing the elements of a poem
 Above:  Trever Zelenka and James Becker
Middle photo: Macy Due and Peytan Brandt
Bottom photo: Mitchell Manning, Colton Bossaller, & Spencer Pribyl

From Earth Science (p. 272)

“If you ever look at a map of Earth’s surface, you can see that the edges of some continents look as though they could fit together like a puzzle. Other people also have noticed this fact. For example, Dutch mapmaker Abraham Ortelius noted the fit between the coastlines of South America and Africa more than 400 years ago.”

The Earth’s Surface

By Colton Bossaller

If you ever look

at a map of Earth’s surface,

you can see

that the edges of some continents

look as though they could fit together

like a puzzle.

Other people also have noticed this fact.

For example,

Dutch mapmaker Abraham Ortelius

noted the fit

between the coastlines

of South America

and Africa more than 400 years ago.

From United States History (p. 426)

“Many enslaved Africans found comfort in their community and culture. They made time for social activity, even after exhausting workdays, in order to relieve the hardship of their lives.”

Slavery

By Macy Due

Many enslaved Africans found comfort

in their community and culture

They made time for social activity,

even after exhausting workdays ,

in order to relieve the hardship of their lives

Two other forms of free verse, that give us a visual picture of people, places, things, or ideas are Acrostic and Concrete poems.

Acrostic Poems

Trever Zelenka

TAZ

REARRANGES HIS

ENTIRE

VOCABULARY

EVERY TIME HE

READS

Kate Janske

Kool, is

Awesome, and

Thinks a lot and is

Entertaining

Concrete Poems

Jesus has

risen, come

out and listen

to a tale of the

son of God. He

suffered and struggled, but he didn’t rebuttal

to the crowds shrieks and cries. He knew it was

coming, and he knew his cause, and he didn’t accept

any applause.

He was slain

and died in vain,

And for many days

was dead, with

his family in dread,

for they didn’t know

what would happen.

For many days he

was in the tomb, but

alleluia, he was gone

gone from his room!

ALLELUIA HE IS
RISEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(By Nick Hyak)

  A

Star

Shines bright

Through the night

A beautiful creation

That stuns the nations

Stars look so simple from the distance, so delicate, so small

But they are really very complex, and not tiny at all

Most people look up at stars so high above

People study and admire, with love

They wish upon a star, hopefully

Everyone wants it to come true, if only

I hope, desperately   hope, day and night

 One wish come true    makes all things right

Stars don’t do harm        to anyone or anything

In fact, much joy                do they seem to bring

Stars make up                       beautiful constellations

They are the                                     beautiful creations

Shooting                                                             stars fly

Through                                                                 the sky

Make                                                                         a wish

on a                                                                                  star

.                                                                                             .

(By Caitlin Murphy)