LAST POETRY RECITATION!

(Well for this year…)

We have one last poem to recite aloud to the class. After the last three difficult poems that we
recited, this last poem will allow you to have some more choice as far as which poem you chose.
You will also have the chance to memorize and recite a more modern poem. Here is what you
will do:

1. Go to the website Poetry 180. http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/p180-list.html (Or you can

just go to Google and type in “Poetry 180.”) This website was created by Billy Collins
when he was the poet laureate. It consists of 180 poems appropriate for high school
students and they were meant to coincide with the 180 days of the school year. In some
schools, a different poem is read aloud every day over the loudspeaker.

2. Pick a poem from the list of poems there. YOUR POEM MUST BE AT LEAST 10 LINES
LONG. If it is not, you will need to select another poem. Select something you like
whether it is because of the subject matter, or the way it sounds or even just because one
line makes sense to you,

Note well: Shorter poems are not always easier poems! There are some 10 line
poems with long sentences and lots of difficult words. Choose carefully!

You may not do poems # 17, 33, 64, 70, 89, 138, 145,

3. Print out two copies of your poem. You have several days until you must submit your
poem so if you don’t have a printer, get yourself to the library or ask a friend to print one
out for you.

4. You will submit your poem to me on_________________________________.

5. I will tell you whether I have approved your poem, probably in the next class.

6. Just as before, you will recite your poem to the class. This time you will be responsible for
sharing the poem’s title and the poet’s name before you say the poem. I will grade your
recitation using the copy you submitted me.

When you are learning your poem, if there are any words that you don’t know how, go to
the online Merriam Webster Dictionary. http://www.merriam-webster.com/ When you
look up a word you can click on the little red microphone next to the word to hear it
pronounced.

7. Your day to recite is _________________________________. If you are not ready, you will go for
half credit on the following day.
This is worth a possible 30 points.