In this 16-week high school English elective, students will study and appreciate poetry through guided reading, discussion, close analysis, and the exploration of poetic techniques. The course begins with an exploration of the fundamental elements of poetry, moves into the study of poetic forms and literary history, and concludes with opportunities for deeper appreciation and independent exploration. Throughout the semester, students will read works by classic English and American poets, practice poetry memorization, and develop a lifelong appreciation for great literature. Each class session will consist of lecture, guided note-taking (worksheets provided prior to class time), reading poetry aloud, and discussion. Occasionally we will watch videos of poetry read aloud to see other interpretations. Students will have assigned poems to read (2-4 per week) prior to class with some guided reading questions. There is also homework after each class to reinforce the concepts discussed each week. Poetry can often seem difficult or mysterious, but this course is designed to unlock its meaning and beauty. Students will learn to read and understand classic English-language poetry with increasing confidence and skill. Course Schedule (see syllabus for more details): Week 1: Images Week 2: Metaphor Week 3: Symbolism Week 4: Diction and Word Choice Week 5: Sound and Musicality Week 6: Rhythm and Meter Week 7: Form: Line and Stanza Week 8: Tone Week 9: History of Poetic Forms, Movements, and Genres Week 10: Traditional Verse Forms Week 11: Shaping Form Week 12: Emily Dickinson: A Study in Form Week 13: Open Verse Week 14: Walt Whitman: A Study in Open Verse Week 15: Narrative Poetry Week 16: Semester Review Each week, students are expected to participate in discussion during our meetings through chat or voice. Students who choose to complete poetry-writing assignments will receive constructive feedback and encouragement as they develop their own poetic voice. Poets Studied May Include: Anne Askew Lewis Carroll Emily Dickinson Robert Frost Langston Hughes Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Rainer Maria Rilke Robert Burns Robert Louis Stevenson Jean Toomer Walt Whitman William Wordsworth W. B. Yeats Ezra Pound Additional poets may be included as time and student interest allow.