A Matter of Identify: Writing an Extended Metaphor Poem
Students apply their knowledge of literary devices by reading and analyzing the Poem "Identity" by Julio Noboa Polanco

Perspective on the Slave Narrative
This lesson plan introduces students to one of the most widely-read genres of 19th-century American literature and an important influence within the African American literary tradition even today

Edgar Allan Poe, Ambrose Bierce, and the Unreliable Biographers
In dying under such mysterious circumstances, the father of the detective story has left us with a real-life mystery which Poe scholars, medical professionals, and others have been trying to solve for over 150 years

Using a Poetry Slam to Teach the Mechanics of Poetry
This lesson plan will involve students in defining, composing, practicing, performing and judging poetry

Interactive Poetry
This lesson, creating an interactive poetry presentation, affords students a chance to use their creativity and artistic talents to make poetry a truly personal and multimedia experience

A Dedication in Verse
Students will use poetry as a vehicle to express sentiment

Discovering a Passion for Poetry with Langston Hughes
Analyze a poem by Langston Hughes in its historical context

Discovering Traditional Sonnet Forms
Students read and analyze sonnets to discover their traditional forms. Students chart the characteristics of the poems then review the details for similarities, deducing traditional sonnet forms that the poems have in common.

Exploring Satire with Shrek
Students brainstorm fairy tale characteristics, identify the satirical techniques used to present them in the movie, then create their own satirical versions of fairy tales.

Fill-in-the-Blank Poetry
In this activity, students write poems of their own without having to create an all-new structure or rhyme scheme. 

From Dr. Seuss to Jonathan Swift: Exploring the History behind the Satire
This lesson plan is based in part on the article “Jonathan Swift and Dr. Suess” by Eileen Simmons from the March 1998 issue of Classroom Notes Plus.

Introduction to Poetry
Student will demonstrate an understanding of the expressive and figurative nature of poetry through successfully producing their own short poem. 

Is a Sentence a Poem?
Students analyze a one-sentence poem to develop a working definition of poetry

Knoxville, Tennessee--Poem Model
After reading the poem "Knoxville, Tennessee" by Nikki Giovanni, students will use the poem as a model to write poems of their own. 

Painless Poetry
Using a novel passage to write poetry 

Phenomenal Lesson for the Phenomenal Woman
Students explore great women who have impacted American lives, which may also serve as an inspirational leader for today's young women.

Poetry Gifts
Given a set of questions, students will be able to brainstorm descriptive words/phrases to describe their person of choice. Each student will be able to create a poem based on the brainstormed ideas.

Seuss & Silverstein: Posing Questions, Presenting Points
Relate situations in books and short stories by Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein to situations and events in their own lives

Still I Rise: Maya Angelou
Students will better understand slavery, oppression, and resiliency, while becoming familiar with poetic devices such as metaphors, similes, and personification.

Literary Devices An explanation of literary devices used in scripture

Literary Times and Terms  About.com's Glossary of Literary Times and Terms offers a wide scope of terms with useful definitions and examples

Simile and Metaphor Practice Sheet Figurative language worksheet

Additional Lessons on Figurative Language Poetry unit that covers figurative language, analytical skills and creative writing
 

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