Poets use language in special ways to appeal to the reader's senses and emotions. They carefully choose each word, phrase, the rhythm and/or rhyme to create vivid images, or pictures, in the reader's mind. After studying various forms of poetry, analyzing figurative language and identifying metaphors, similes, personification etc. students will choose a poem that moves them and create a movie which expresses their interpretation of the poem. Milestones (What students and I will do.) Each student chooses a poem and pitches initial idea to teams. Discuss the potential of each idea and choose one to develop. Present the project idea to the teacher. Make a Storyboard. Research your topic using books, the Internet, CD's etc. Create a Script Continue with your research and formulate this into a working script. Prepare to "shoot" your movie. Consider any props and locations needed. "Film" your project. Use your storyboard, and script to imagine and then capture video images you need to "express" your poem. Build Your Movie Use all the resources you have gathered to construct and edit your "Express A Poem" project. Present Your Project Introduce your movie explaining the effect you were trying to create. Conclude your presentation by responding to reactions and answering questions. The curriculum objectives are: 1)to enable students to interpret, relate to, and extend a work of literature by transforming it from one medium to another and to deepen personal understanding of the text by discussing, writing, visualizing, and sharing. 2)to integrate cooperative learning strategies, language arts, critical thinking skills and technology into everyday curriculum. The top ten expressive poetry projects in the English class will be presented at the Animation & Film Festival, and student teams will be awarded the Starlight Award. The English class participating is taught by Ms. Connie Martin at T.S. King Middle School.