Resource - Poetry in Motion / La poésie en action

Abstract:

This unit allows students to explore the poetic form through the use of movement, voice and technical theatre conventions (costumes, props, lighting and sound). Literacy connections are created by engaging students in meaningful performance interpretations of a variety of poems either from the grade 9 English cannon or of the students' and/or teacher's choosing. Created in 2010 for 2009 Ontario Curriculum Support. / Ce module permet aux élèves d'explorer la forme poétique en utilisant le mouvement, la voix et les conventions techniques du théâtre (costumes, accessoires, éclairage et son). Des liens avec la littérature sont créés en engageant les élèves dans des interprétations significatives d'une variété de poèmes tirés du canon de l'anglais de 9e année ou choisis par les élèves et/ou l'enseignant.

Unit Overview / Aperçu

Resource cover image — A graphic of hands holding an open book that is blooming with flowers rests under the title on a soft turquoise background.

This unit focuses on making connections between the performative nature of poetry and the use of performance to heighten understanding of the poetic form. The unit assumes students have basic levels of classroom trust and knowledge of the use of tableau. Students would benefit from an understanding of the roles of Director, Actor, Designer and Tech. This resource can easily be taught without props, costumes and tech. However, if you are working in a studio with tech equipment and trained students, you may wish to use them. Placement of this unit any point after an opening or introductory unit would be appropriate.

Unit Guiding Questions / Questions directrices de l'unité

What is poetry?
What is movement?
How is voice used in performance?
How is poetry a form of performance?
How is language a form of art?
How can performance heighten our understanding and appreciation of poetry?
How can our own performance of work written by another artist help us better experience the meanings in the art?
How do the roles of director, actor, costume designer, set designer and technical designer work in small group creations?

Qu'est-ce que la poésie ?
Qu'est-ce que le mouvement ?
Comment la voix est-elle utilisée dans la performance ?
En quoi la poésie est-elle une forme de performance ?
En quoi la langue est-elle une forme d'art ?
Comment la performance peut-elle améliorer notre compréhension et notre appréciation de la poésie ?
Comment notre propre interprétation d'une œuvre écrite par un autre artiste peut-elle nous aider à mieux percevoir les significations de l'art ?
Comment les rôles de metteur en scène, d'acteur, de costumier, de décorateur et de concepteur technique fonctionnent-ils dans les créations en petits groupes ?

Assessment and Evaluation: How will students demonstrate their learning?

Assessment for Learning (AfL)

Five checkpoints and a final performance checklist

Checkpoint #1 - Lesson #1

Group discussion and brainstorming - anchor chart
Warm-up movement observation
Journal reflection #1

Checkpoint #2 - Lesson #2

Creation and performance
Peer feedback
Peer direction
Exit cards

Checkpoint #3 - Lesson #3

Creation and performance
Group discussion
Peer observation
Journal reflection #2

Checkpoint #4 - Lesson #4

Creation and rehearsal
Group reflection on past work
Group brainstorming
Identification of next-steps by individuals
Journal reflection #3

Checkpoint #5 - Lesson #5

Creation and performance
Artistic choice defence
Peer feedback
Review and changes to anchor chart
Exit card

Performance Checklist - Lessons #4 + #5

Checklist use throughout creative process of culminating task

Assessment of Learning (AoL)

Culminating Performance Task

Culminating Task Rubric - PDF #3 Rubric

Unit Lessons: How will assessment and instruction be organized for learning?

Lesson

Focus

Lesson / Leçon 1

Moving for Meaning / La recherche d'un sens à l'action

Students explore and identify the concepts of poetry and movement and explore methods of non-verbal communication.

Lesson / Leçon 2

Language as Art / La langue comme art

Students explore and identify the ways in which performance and writing can combine to allow for heightened understanding of language.

Lesson / Leçon 3

Poetry Out Loud / La poésie à voix haute

Students use voice and movement to explore meaning in poetry.

Lesson / Leçon 4

Poetry and Creation / La poésie en création

Students use the creative process to develop a final performance of an assigned piece of poetry. Focus is on heightening meaning through the use of movement and voice. They will also use costumes, props, set and technology as a means to enhance their own performances.

Lesson / Leçon 5

Poetry in Performance (Culminating Task - Performance) / La poésie en spectacle

Students share their final performance piece for their classmates. The aim for students is to create a performance piece that demonstrates an appreciation of how poetry can be explored using movement, voice, costumes, props, set and technology and how the text's meanings can be heightened through the use of performance.