Poetry Lesson
Erika Miller
Objective: Students will understand how to connect poetry with sports.
Students will work on a poetry assignment focusing on the theme of an
athlete’s relationship with a piece of equipment from their sport.
Instructions: Students will have the opportunity to complete a pre-reading
activity, read a poem about a boy and his relationship with his soccer ball,
and then create a poem of their own. You may NOT do your project on a
soccer ball as that is the example that is provided.
I.
Pick a sport and one piece of equipment to focus on from that sport. You will
write down at least 5 descriptive words about your piece of equipment. You
will also write down at least 5 different descriptive actions you can do with
your piece of equipment. You will then define these words and actions. You
will use Webspiration to complete this activity.
II.
Read the poem “A Boy Juggling a Soccer Ball” by Christopher Merrill. This
story demonstrates the relationship a young boy has with his soccer ball.
III.
Create your poem. Now it’s your turn to put together your words and the
actions of the piece of equipment you have chosen to create your own poem.
Your poem should describe your relationship with your piece of equipment.
Assessment:
Student Checklist
Be sure to include the following:
Did I come up with 5 words and 5 actions with
definitions?
Did I use correct spelling?
Did I use my 5 words and 5 actions in my
poem?
Are my words and actions used in correct
context?
Is the overall look of the project good?
Yes
No
Rubric:
6+1 Trait Writing Model : Sports Poetry Project
Teacher Name: Ms. Miller
Student Name:
________________________________________
2
1
Focus on Topic
(Content)
There is one clear, Main idea is clear but
well-focused topic. the supporting
Main idea stands
information is general.
out and is supported
by detailed
information.
Main idea is
somewhat clear but
there is a need for
more supporting
information.
The main idea is not
clear. There is a
seemingly random
collection of
information.
Adding
Personality
(Voice)
The writer seems to
be writing from
knowledge or
experience. The
author has taken
the ideas and made
them "his own."
The writer seems to
be drawing on
knowledge or
experience, but there
is some lack of
ownership of the topic.
The writer relates
some of his own
knowledge or
experience, but it
adds nothing to the
discussion of the
topic.
The writer has not
tried to transform the
information in a
personal way. The
ideas and the way
they are expressed
seem to belong to
someone else.
Sequencing
(Organization)
Details are placed in
a logical order and
the way they are
presented
effectively keeps the
interest of the
reader.
Details are placed in a
logical order, but the
way in which they are
presented/introduced
sometimes makes the
writing less
interesting.
Some details are not
in a logical or
expected order, and
this distracts the
reader.
Many details are not
in a logical or
expected order.
There is little sense
that the writing is
organized.
Word Choice
Writer uses vivid
words and phrases
that linger or draw
pictures in the
reader's mind, and
the choice and
placement of the
words seems
accurate, natural
and not forced.
Writer uses vivid
words and phrases
that linger or draw
pictures in the reader's
mind, but occasionally
the words are used
inaccurately or seem
overdone.
Writer uses words
that communicate
clearly, but the
writing lacks variety,
punch or flair.
Writer uses a limited
vocabulary that does
not communicate
strongly or capture
the reader's interest.
Jargon or cliches
may be present and
detract from the
meaning.
Grammar &
Spelling
(Conventions)
Writer makes no
errors in grammar
or spelling that
distract the reader
from the content.
Writer makes 1-2
errors in grammar or
spelling that distract
the reader from the
content.
Writer makes 3-4
errors in grammar or
spelling that distract
the reader from the
content.
Writer makes more
than 4 errors in
grammar or spelling
that distract the
reader from the
content.
CATEGORY
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3
Example:
Sport: Soccer
Piece of Equipment: Soccer Ball
I. Webspiration of 5 words and 5 actions and definitions
II. “Boy Juggling a Soccer Ball” Poem
A Boy Juggling a Soccer Ball
by Christopher Merrill
after practice: right foot
to left foot, stepping forward and back,
to right foot and left foot,
and left foot up to his thigh, holding
it on his thigh as he twists
around in a circle, until it rolls
down the inside of his leg,
like a tickle of sweat, not catching
and tapping on the soft
side of his foot, and juggling
once, twice, three times,
hopping on one foot like a jump-roper
in the gym, now trapping
and holding the ball in midair,
balancing it on the instep
of his weak left foot, stepping forward
and forward and back, then
lifting it overhead until it hangs there;
and squaring off his body,
he keeps the ball aloft with a nudge
of his neck, heading it
from side to side, softer and softer,
like a dying refrain,
until the ball, slowing, balances
itself on his hairline,
the hot sun and sweat filling his eyes
as he jiggles this way
and that, then flicking it up gently,
hunching his shoulders
and tilting his head back, he traps it
in the hollow of his neck,
and bending at the waist, sees his shadow,
his dangling T-shirt, the bent
blades of brown grass in summer heat;
and relaxing, the ball slipping
down his back. . .and missing his foot.
He wheels around, he marches
over the ball, as if it were a rock
he stumbled into, and pressing
his left foot against it, he pushes it
against the inside of his right
until it pops into the air, is heeled
over his head--the rainbow!-and settles on his extended thigh before
rolling over his knee and down
his shin, so he can juggle it again
from his left foot to his right foot
--and right foot to left foot to thigh-as he wanders, on the last day
of summer, around the empty field.
III. Create your poem.
Here is an example of a poem I have created as an example for you!
I have the ball at my feet,
this amazing sphere that makes me so free.
With each step I take,
I’m dribbling the ball closer to my goal.
The feeling of leather on the instep of my foot,
is thrilling and exhilarating all at once.
I see my teammate up ahead,
a simple flick of the ball and he’s moving with it now.
Oh no, a blue shirt, the opponent,
he’s trapping the sphere.
My teammate is trying,
but he’s losing his balance.
He passes the ball,
back to me.
I know I must move quick,
blue shirts are coming towards me.
I take a shot and it’s off,
a flying hexagon towards the goal.
And just like that,
it’s blocked.
I fall to the ground as the whistle blows,
discouraged and deflated like a flat soccer ball.