introduction
the task
the process
resources
evaluation
conclusion
 
 
 
 
At the annual poetry convention in Frost, New Hampshire, the poets are agitated.  When one poet submitted her cinquain entry, some of the participants protested that it did not fit the bill; it did not fall into the traditional pattern of a cinquain poem.  A heated debate ensued, and became a broader question:  What is a cinquain, and what is a haiku?  And, furthermore, what is a tanka? Your job is to research these three poetry forms and put an end to the controversy!
Choose one of the following poetry forms and complete the following steps:
1.  Define the poetic structure
2.  Provide an example from an outside author
3.  Write your own poem in the same style
4.  Present your findings to the group at the Poetry Coffeeshop we will have in class
You will be assigned to a group and given the opportunity to choose a particular poetry form to research.  Before doing your research, brainstorm in your group to come up with a plan, to discuss the problem, find out if anyone has any ideas about the poetry forms.  If you want, divide up the tasks, but remember that all of you will be given the same grade, so work together as a team to come up with the best work you can do collectively.
Once you have chosen which poetry form to research, go about the task using the resources below.  When you are satisfied that you have come up with your conclusions, begin planning and completing your presentation.  Choose a poem to present from an outside author (Yes, it can be a schoolmate, if you feel the poem satisfies the criteria!).  Next, write your own cinquain.  For this part of the assignment, you may want to have each member of the group write their own poem and then anonymously vote on one "winner" to present at the Coffeehouse.
Present your findings and conclusions, your selected poem, and your original poem in an attractive and finished format.  You may use the computer to word process and embellish with handsome formatting and clip art, or you may choose to handwrite and illustrate your poem.  You may even choose to make your presentation with PowerPoint.  Be creative!  After all, we are poets!  Artists!
 
 Internet Resources
     
 Haiku For People 
  Language Arts Sites - Links from the Pittsford Elementary School in Michigan - for cinquain and haiku
  Cinquain Poetry - from the Los Angeles County Office of Education
  AHA! POETRY - cinquain, haiku and tanka
  How to write a cinquain - Help from the Girl Scouts!  Help with haiku from this link as well
  ESST - The learning adventure  - Educational Support Services Trust teaches how to write a cinquain
  Kalliope Poetry Exercise Workshop: Cinquains 
  Vanessa Pike-Russells' Poetry page - help with haiku and cinquain
  What is a tanka? History of tanka, examples, and links
  Tanka and Sijo Poetry
  American tanka 
  Brooks' English-Language Haiku Web Site
  A Few Poems By Gene Doty - Haiku and Tanka 
  Class 8-240's Poetry Place - From 8th graders in Ms. Burnett's class at Booker T. Washington High School, NYC - for haiku and cinquain
 
Other Resources
  The Library
  Teachers in the Building
 

 
Your performance will be evaluated by your peers at the Poetry Coffeehouse.  Your classmates will use a rubric to assess your work.  Remember, you are being evaluated as a group, not as individuals, so work together for the best finished product. Use the rubric to make sure you have accomplished all of the objectives of the WebQuest.
At our Poetry Coffeehouse, we will engage in a Poetry Rap, once all have presented their work.  Think about the assignment and what you liked or did not like about it.  Was the Internet a good source for your research?  Did you find information that was valuable?  Was it reliable?  If you also used books and interviews, did the information vary much from what you found on the Internet?  Which type of research did you prefer, if at all?
What was it like to work in a group to do original creative work?  Did you find that you could agree on a poem?  Was it easy to agree?  Why or why not?
  

Suggested Grade Range for this WebQuest:  Upper Elementary (4 - 6) through Middle School

Prepared by: