You collect a group of articles over a topic or topics you would like your class to learn about, and pass the articles out (I usually have students work with partners or in small groups). Students read the articles and highlight the most important words in the article - the words that hold the most meaning and feeling. Students then take these words and compile them into a poem of sorts. The rules I give students is that they may only use words found in the article. They must also convey the same meaning of the article (although the words do not have to be arranged in the same order), and it must read like a poem (not complete sentences). Students then read their poems to the class and we discuss the information they learned. It usually works really well and the kids enjoy it. It is a good way to introduce a topic, get kids writing and thinking about the power of words.

I can probably locate the lesson somewhere if you would like more specifics.

It’s just an idea-not mine. I’m exploring what might come from it. Whatever you make of it will add to its value. Go for it.

I also enjoyed how you didn’t quite know what the kids learned from this. I have a feeling that sometimes the best lessons are those that run like this one did. Please do let us know what your students got out of it.

Thanks