1. Valentine’s Tribute Poetry Contest

2. Have you ever considered writing a tribute…

3. to a rock?

4. How about a poem for your love of…

5. Of cheese?

6. Don’t you think pencils and skateboards deserve a little admiration?

7. Well, you can write a tribute to them now, and perform it for all to enjoy! Yes, you can let the world know how much love you have for something non-living by writing a tribute poem! After all, non-living objects deserve some love, too!

8. Let’s look at some fine examples of poems that offer tribute to something some people love. Number your paper 1-6 three times

9. Can you… 1. Find a simile? (Phrase comparing two unlike objects using “like” or “as”) Life is like a rollercoaster… 2. Detect a metaphor? (Phrase comparing two unlike objects without using “like” or “as.” Life is a rollercoaster… 3. Tell how the object has been personified (given human qualities or traits) Potatoes are watching you! 4. Tell which lines rhyme? (Common patterns are AABB, ABCB, AAAA, ABAB) 5. How many stanzas (kind of like paragraphs for poems) does the poem have? 6. What were your favorite word choices that really enhance the writing (make it more interesting)?

10. Ode to Jello

12. Oh, Jello, my jello Such a handsome, colorful fellow Hues of yellow and bright red Wobble around in my head My love for you, true Is as strong as a layer of Berry Blue My heart longs to hold you (But more often, to mold you) I love you more each passing day (Even though you lead to tooth decay) Your box is just your mobile home If you stay with me, you’ll never roam Sure, I know you’re a little roly-poly And your lime layer looks like guacamole At times I wish you were like a Twinkie Cream filling would make you better, I thinkie Oh, Jello, you’re swello When you’re wearing marshmallow You are such a gooey vice But to me, you’re a rainbow paradise! simile metaphor personification

13. How might one (or three) perform such a lovely tribute to Jello? Let’s take a look at delivering poetry like a 3-headed Broadway Star! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XajUL5LdKxg

15. One Cheesy Tribute

17. Call it Fromage, call it Queso, I’ll call it on the phone, if you say so melt it, bake it, fry it too take a bath in a pot of fondue! As a casserole topping All bubbly and brown, It makes every snack time The talk of the town. Like a party, a nap Or a flower bouquet Cheese helps me cope When it’s not a Gouda day. Most every lunch meal Can be sharpened with cheese And its pungent aroma Will keep away fleas! Moldy and holey With veins of sky bleu I love you in pizza, on crackers, in stew Simile Hyperbole Personification You'll always be mine when lasagna I eat And Muenster should be given out When we all Trick or Treat! My heart always melts for all types of cheese So just love it like I do And pass the brie, please!

18. Now, let’s take a look at how one (or three) might perform a “cheesy” poem: http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v =TdALEg2rRJE

20. For the Love of a Lathe

22. Oh, Lathe how I love thee Your cuts so precise You turn the oak, spin the ash make it look nice You capture my heart With your spindle and belt drive Your bearings that move Oh, it’s like you’re alive! Oh, Lathe, how you spin making art out of pine table legs, bowls, tops You’re like a tree shrine! If I can't have you, lathe The spinning world shall soon cease I'll be forced to find some other way to find peace. Simile Hyperbole Personification

23. So, where do you begin so that you can compete like a Broadway star in this Valentine’s Tribute Contest? Well, we’d like you to write about a non-living object you love and cherish. Just remember, it can’t be alive (or have lived), and the more unusual, the better!

24. Step 1: Brainstorm a list of topics on your paper now. Think of objects (not animals or stuffed animals) that are non-living that you adore or think might be funny (but not weird or too gross) to adore. Try to make them general (shoes) as opposed to super specific (Nike Shoe). Make sure they’re appropriate to the audience of 6th graders or teachers. See if you can get a total of 10! Examples: glue, French fries, lima beans, your toe, shoes, skateboard, dirt, the door, locker, gummy bear, golf tee, glasses, chocolate chip

25. Step 2: Decide if you want to write and perform by yourself, with a partner, or as a group of 3. Here are grouping expectations : … Work by yourself to produce 16 lines or 4 stanzas … or work with a partner (28 lines or 7 stanzas)* … or a group of 3 (32 lines or 8 stanzas) *Best choice!

26. Step 3: QUIETLY , Get together with your partner(s) or stay in your seat and QUIETLY read over your lists. QUIETLY , circle the best ideas. Then, try to narrow it down to one by QUIETLY discussing them. (Remember, the funnier, the better!)

27. Valentine’s Tribute Poetry Contest

28. Step 4: QUIETLY, write (with everyone writing on their own papers) lists of words and phrases you might want include. List them out like you’re thinking of a person, rather than an object. This will help you with writing your poem (You may not be able to fill in all of these): A. Related words: B. Appearance: C. It’s actions: D. Things it might say: E. Who it hangs out with: F. It’s environment (where it lives): G. Interesting adjectives you might use to describe it (wiggly, blue): H. Sounds or smells: I. Interesting similes you might use (It’s as ____as a _______, It’s like a ________.) Make sure they’re not cliché. J. Interesting Metaphors? (It’s a ______.) K. Interesting Hyperbole: (Exaggeration) The wedge of cheese weighed more than the refrigerator!)

29. A. Related words: B. Appearance: C. It’s actions: D. Things it might say: E. Who it hangs out with: F. It’s environment (where it lives): G. Interesting adjectives you might use to describe it (wiggly, blue): H. Sounds or smells: I. Interesting similes you might use (It’s as ____as a _______, It’s like a ________.) Make sure they’re not cliché. J. Interesting Metaphors? (It’s a ______.) K. Interesting Hyperbole: (Exaggeration) The wedge of cheese weighed more than the refrigerator!)

30. Step 5: Start your first lines or stanza introducing the item in some way. Keep in mind that the goal is to share how much it is loved, or liked, in a “Valenetiney” type of way. Here are some interesting ways to begin, which also have rhythm (rhythm will make it easier for you to perform, but you don’t have to have rhythm.) You may use them…or not! Oh, ________, my __________... Oh, ______, how we love thee… Nothing can compare to you… Call it _____, call it _______ Sometimes, when I’m feeling down… We love it so much, we must tell you why… ______is fantastic, ____is so great There’s nothing better than a _____... When I’m sad and lonely, too… Listen up, I’m here to say… (Cheese) is great, (Cheese) is good,

33. Examples: Cheese is great, cheese is neat (A) I love it more than pie (B) (Hyperbole) Cheese is great, cheese is neat, (A) They only food we want to eat! (A) (Hyperbole) Do you also hear the rhythm?

34. Step 7: Decide…which pattern do you want to use? Here are some examples. Be sure to look at the END RHYME PATTERN:

35. AAAA (the toughest, for experts only…) Cheese is great, cheese is neat, (A) The only food we want to eat! (A) (Hyperbole) Colby, Swiss and Jack (with meat,) (A) And cheddar is the cheese to beat! (A) ABAB (Very tough, too!) Cheese is great, cheese is neat (A) We love it more than pie (B) (Hyperbole) It’s the only thing to eat, (A) We’re here to tell you why (B) AABB (Very tough, too!) Cheese is great, cheese is neat, (A) They only food we want to eat! (A) (Hyperbole) We love it more than apple pie, (B) And we’re here to tell you why! (B) ABCB (The easiest!...take the easy route!) Cheese is great, cheese is neat (A) We love it more than pie(B) (Hyperbole) It’s sharp, it’s mild, it’s simply best(C) We’re here to tell you why (B)

36. Step 8: Write a rough draft of your poem (EACH PERSON WRITING IT OUT ON THEIR OWN PAPER) paying attention to the following, as you write: 1. Introduce the awesome item near the beginning. 2. Write from your point of view…put yourself in the writing! 3. Pay attention to rhyme pattern as you write. 4. Lightly tap out the rhythm as you go, like it’s a song…does it sound in rhythm? 5. Use CREATIVE WORDS, rather than average, dull ones…you only get so many words in a poem…make them count! 6. Write to give an overall picture of the total awesomeness of this object, and remember: … By yourself? 16 lines or 4 stanzas … Partners? (28 lines or 7 stanzas) … Groups of 3 (32 lines or 8 stanzas) 7. Use a good combination or 3 or more of the following Simile: Comparing unlike things…using LIKE or AS Hyperbole: Exaggerating to prove a point Personification: Give the object human traits! Metaphor : Compare unlike things, without using LIKE/AS 8. Make sure the last lines bring the poem to a conclusion, not just leave us hanging! Also, make sure there are no cliché endings!

37. Step 9: Revise and Edit it: Look over the directions again. Change your writing to make sure everything is there. * Spelling should be correct…check over every word. * Write it out on notebook paper…and… Step 10: All members, design one copy like a Valentine’s card on large sheet of construction paper. The poem can start on the outside and finish on the inside….or the poem can be just on the inside. * Include a picture on the outside of the card, so it resembles a card you might give to that thing!

38. Call it Fromage, call it Queso, I’ll call it on the phone, if you say so melt it, bake it, fry it too take a bath in a pot of fondue! As a casserole topping All bubbly and brown, It makes every snack time The talk of the town. Like a party, a nap Or a flower bouquet Cheese helps me cope When it’s not a Gouda day. Most every lunch meal Can be sharpened with cheese And its pungent aroma Will keep away fleas! Moldy and holey With veins of sky bleu I love you in pizza, on crackers, in stew Simile Hyperbole Personification You'll always be mine when lasagna I eat And Muenster should be given out When we all Trick or Treat! My heart always melts for all types of cheese So just love it like I do And pass the brie, please!

39. Oh, Jello, my jello Such a handsome, colorful fellow Hues of yellow and bright red Wobble around in my head My love for you, true Is as strong as a layer of Berry Blue My heart longs to hold you (But more often, to mold you) I love you more each passing day (Even though you lead to tooth decay) Your box is just your mobile home If you stay with me, you’ll never roam Sure, I know you’re a little roly-poly And your lime layer looks like guacamole At times I wish you were like a Twinkie Cream filling would make you better, I thinkie Oh, Jello, you’re swello When you’re wearing marshmallow You are such a gooey vice But to me, you’re a rainbow paradise! simile metaphor personification

40. Speaking 101

41. Loud Clear Slow

42. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XajUL5LdKxg http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v =TdALEg2rRJE