Blackout Poetry Revisited

I absolutely love blackout poetry. It's one of the only things I've written about to this point. Because I love it, I try to do it with each of my classes at least once a year. Last year, I had the chance to teach it to my highest achieving grade 8 class. This year, I have a very mixed ability grade 9 class, but I was able to find a new benefit to this: engagement and accomplishment.

My students had a blast making their poems this year. And while a lower level of English meant that more students needed help (especially with the grammar aspect), they also loved it just as much. And maybe they needed it more.

I have quite a mix in this English class, and some students need a lot of help. They struggle massively to produce anything independently in writing. But this activity showed them that they could create something beautiful in a class in which they struggle. Some of the pieces I chose to put on the wall this year were from students who were shocked and delighted to see their work displayed for all to see.

They were proud.

They took pictures.

They showed their parents and friends.

I was moved to see how much they lit up when I told them I would display their work, and I saw a change in many of their attitudes in the following lessons. Sometimes, students just need a win to remind them of their potential.

But my students and I weren't the only ones who enjoyed the poetry this year. Our school's marketing team heard about the activity and asked for some photos to share on the school blog. You can see their write-up here.