Concrete poetry is a type of poetry in which the words of a poem are given a visual representation in the shape of the poem itself. The visual shapes of the poems are just as important in conveying the intended effect as the poem’s content, such as meaning, words, rhythm, rhyme, etc. The term “concrete poetry” was coined in the 1950s by Brazilian poets and its principle tenet is that using words as part of a specific visual work allows for the words themselves to become part of the poetry, rather than just unseen vehicles for ideas. Concrete poems have been created based on the shapes of stars, cats, apples, trees, candles, faces, and many other shapes. The words or content that create each shape align with the shape itself. For example, the shape of an airplane is created with associated content, ascending into the sky. The words that make the airplane outline state, “a flick, a shudder to soar, a push–the nose, the wings held high and steady–the plane is ready to touch the sky.”
As our textbook mentions, poetry can foster creativity. Concrete poetry is particularly effective in early childhood education because it merges the two most important elements of children’s literature: content/narrative and illustration.
Instructions
Your assignment in this module is to send home a concrete poetry assignment (including directions and a sample poem) for your early childhood classroom. In this mock assignment, the student and his/her parent/guardian will create a concrete poem using/tracing the outline of one of each of their hands. The child and family member must describe how they use their hands, what they like about their hands, and/or why hands are important. Once you complete your directions to send home with a child and your sample hand poem to be attached to these directions, you will ask a friend/family member (preferably one with a child) to complete the second page as if they were your student and parent. Then, you will scan both pages and attach them online for grade submission. Have fun and be creative!
Please review the following templates for this assignment; each template is numbered. You may use these templates as your own documents or create something similar.
Download Concrete Poetry Pages 1–2Download Concrete Poetry Pages 1–2
Download Concrete Poetry Page 3Download Concrete Poetry Page 3
You may also wish to print the assignment instructions:
On page 1, clearly type or hand write directions to the parents and students, defining concrete poetry and outlining the project (stay positive, write in letter format, and write clearly on half of the horizontal page). Also, you may use phrases from the descriiption above or below when defining concrete poetry in your directions.
On page 2, create a sample “hand poem” that you have completed with the outline of your own hand on the other half of the horizontal page. You may write and/or draw inside your hand, around the edges, in the fingers, etc. It may rhyme or not. There are no limits with concrete poetry! Be creative so you will inspire the student and his/her parent to be creative!
Page 3 will be a completed set of “hand poems” by a parent/guardian and child. Please prep the horizontal space for the parent/guardian as if you would really send this home by labeling the spaces, drawing a line down the center, etc. Although this may be a friend and his/her child, please imagine this is your student and his/her parent/guardian.
Upload both complete documents.
Evaluation: After completing the assignment, evaluate and consider how you did. If you were to use this assignment in an early childhood education classroom, how would you alter or change it? What did not work so well?
struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step 1: Understand the Assignment Objectives
- Goal: Create a concrete poetry project for early childhood students to complete with their parents/guardians.
- Outcome: Submit a complete set of instructions, a sample poem, and a mock completed version from a “student” and “parent.”
Step 2: Prepare Your Materials
- Templates: Download and review the provided templates for guidance:
- Additional Materials: Ensure you have:
- Paper
- Colored pens/pencils
- Scanner or camera to upload your final work.
Step 3: Draft Your Instructions for Page 1
- Write a letter to parents and students explaining the activity.
- Define concrete poetry clearly and positively, using phrases like:
- “Concrete poetry combines words and visual shapes to create a meaningful artistic experience.”
- Outline the activity:
- Trace one of the child’s hands and one of the parent’s/guardian’s hands.
- Fill the hand shapes with words describing:
- How you use your hands.
- What you like about your hands.
- Why hands are important.
- Be creative—use colors, rhyme, or any format you like!
- Encourage participation:
- Mention how this activity helps children explore creativity and bond with their families.
Step 4: Create Your Sample Poem for Page 2
- Trace your own hand on a blank page.
- Write your “hand poem” within the outline.
- Example:
- Palm: “My hands build dreams.”
- Fingers: “Touch, create, hold, love, share.”
- Decorate your hand with colors or drawings to inspire creativity.
Step 5: Prepare the Mock Completed Set for Page 3
- Divide the page into two labeled sections:
- Parent/Guardian Hand Poem
- Child Hand Poem
- Ask a family member or friend (preferably with a child) to complete the sections:
- Parent/Guardian: Create a hand outline and poem.
- Child: Do the same for their hand.
Step 6: Scan and Upload Your Work
- Scan both completed documents (instructions and poems) into a clear, legible file.
- Double-check for completeness before submission.
Step 7: Reflect and Evaluate
- After submitting your assignment, answer these reflective questions:
- If you used this activity in a real classroom, how would you improve it?
- Were the instructions clear and easy to follow?
- What aspects of the assignment were most engaging for the parent/child?
- Did any part of the process not work as well as expected? How could it be adjusted?
This guide will help you stay organized and produce a creative, polished submission. Good luck, and have fun creating your concrete poetry project!
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