Poetry Books

Due to the structure of adult education classes, subject areas are not taught the way they are typically taught in a regular high school setting. In a high school English class, time is spent reading and analyzing short stories, novels, and poetry. Usually there is a required reading list, and each student has a literature book. Because adult education is different from a typical high school class (for example, there is no required curriculum to be taught in GED classes) many GED students do not get a tremendous amount of exposure to literature.

Creating poetry books is an assignment that takes a little time but can be done individually and gives GED students some exposure to poetry (which is included on the GED test). To begin this project set a "due" date. Encourage your students to do some of it at home. Many of them will like this considering they are always asking for homework. Create an example for them to view so that they know what is expected of them. Provide published books of poetry available for them to read.

Step-by-step directions for students to create a poetry book are as follows:

1. Choose one theme.
2. Collect ten poems that deal with your chosen theme. See Options.
3. Illustrations should accompany each poem. Photographs, drawings, or pictures can be used for illustrations.
4. The poetry booklet should be put together in the following order:
1. Front cover - may include photo/photos of student. Be creative with the cover. It must include a title and the student's full name.
2. A blank page for teacher's comments.
3. A Table of Contents listing each poem and the page number.
4. Poems in chronological order with appropriate pictures - Indicate the author of each poem on the page with the poem.
5. Bibliography - List all sources of information by giving the following for each source (resource where you got the poem): Author's last name, author's first name. Title. City of Publication: Publisher, Copyright Date.
6. Back cover.

1. You may write all poems.
2. A variety of authors may write the poems.
3. You may write some and other authors may write some of the poems.