A Sense of Place Vertical Poem
Source: adapted from Joseph Cornell – Journey to the Heart of Nature
OBJECTIVE
Writing a poem is another way to become more aware of your surroundings. This activity encourages children to observe and record, in their own words, key elements of the landscape, using an acrostic poem format. Sharing their poems will help them create a collective landscape made in their own words and feelings, and reinforce that a landscape is made up of different elements For example:
Did you know?
The Scottish landscape is a perennial source of inspiration for artists and songwriters, photographers, and poets such as Robert Burns, Norman MacCaig and many other voices.
Before the activity
It may be useful to explore the site http://www.poetryclass.net/lesindex.htm poetry lessons section to help the children begin to explore the language of poetry, and explore different techniques in class first.
Ensure each pupil has a pencil, paper and board to write on outside. A mat or plastic bag each to sit on may be helpful. Ask them to choose a favourite place on their own to sit quietly for a few minutes watching and enjoying. It may help them to close their eyes, listen, and look again. Think about how they feel when they look around them, or watch elements of the landscape – sawing trees for example.
The activity
Choose a word that captures a key feature of the landscape you are looking at. Then use each letter of the word to begin a line of your poem.
F eathery edges reach into fields
O ld trunks leaning darkly
R agged tops touch the sky
E legant branches criss cross
S hivering leaves make it move
T rees march like an army
H igh round tops
I isolated bumps on the horizon
L ittle houses
L ight colours brightening
Once everyone has created one or more poems of their unique view, share these with each other. Are there common elements or very different perspectives?
If you take a photograph or make drawings of your landscape (see Frame it! activity), the poems can be added to create a display of words and pictures.
Suggested follow-up
Imagine a legend that could have taken place in your landscape either now or a long time ago. Weave the features of your landscape into your story.
Read prose and poems by Scottish authors inspired by the Scottish landscape (e.g. Land Lines: An Illustrated Journey Through the Literature and Landscape of Scotland, Polygon Pocketbooks)
Downloads
Scottish poets e.g. poems by R.L Stevenson
In the Highlands http://www.rampantscotland.com/poetry/blpoems_highlands.htm
or Ettrick Forest in November http://www.rampantscotland.com/poetry/blpoems_ettrick.htm
The Scottish Poetry Library - education page http://www.spl.org.uk/education/