Skip to Main Content

Poetry Frame

Students can display their original poetry in a beautiful handmade frame.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Heavy Paper
  • Paper
  • Paper Clip(s)
  • Tape

Steps

  • Step 1

    Ask students to list some poems or poets they enjoy reading. Does it lift their spirits? Does it help them view issues and emotions in different ways? Are the rhythms soothing?

  • Step 2

    Ask students write an original poem on a topic of their choice. It can take any form--rhyming, non-rhyming (free verse), haiku, acrostic, or any other. When they have a final version, they can transcribe it onto white paper using colored pencils or fine line markers. Leave the borders clear since this will be where they attach the poem to the back of the frame.

  • Step 3

    Have students cut an area out of heavy paper that is large enough to display their poem. This will become a frame for the poem. Then have them paint the frame using images that complement the theme of the poem. To create a textured effect they can use an unfolded paper clip to etch lines into the paint while it's damp.

  • Step 4

    When the paint is dry students can place glue or tape along the borders of the poem and attach it to the back of the poster board so the poem is displayed through the cut-out window.

  • Step 5

    Have students present their poetry and frame and discuss the theme of the poem and why they selected the images used to illustrate it.

Standards

LA: Add drawings or other visual displays to written text to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings. 

LA: Write using words, numbers, and images to inform and explain, share experiences, and create narratives, either fictional or non-fictional.  

Adaptations

Show images of noted works of art and ask students to write an original poem inspired by the work. Suggestions might include "Mona Lisa" (1503-06) by Leonardo da Vinci, "The Starry Night" (1889) by Vincent van Gogh, "Bar and Grill" (1941) by Jacob Lawrence, "Avalanche" (1998) by Maya Lin, or any others.

Challenge students to write a concrete poem. Also known as a visual poem, this form, which is usually written in free verse, focuses on the visual effect of how the words are arranged. For example, a poem about a snail might be written in spiral form on the paper and a poem about the sun might be written in circular form with descriptive lines written as rays emanating from the circle.