Workshop 1: January 14, 2011
Workshop 2: January 28, 2011
Grade 7
Author Tony Medina conducted a two-part Behind the Book program focused on his book I and I: Bob Marley. Mr. Medina started his first visit by distributing fortune cookies and asking the students to do a writing prompt based on their fortunes. The class also listened to music (including songs by Bob Marley) to get them thinking. Mr. Medina then talked about Langston Hughes and the importance of poetry. The class wrote programs beginning with the phrase, “I am from,” and later took part in a poetry slam.
During the second workshop, students read their poems aloud and Mr. Medina commented on and critiqued their work. Medina talked about the different types of poems that exist and gave the class advice on how to perform poetry. The students perfected their “I am from” poems for their final project.
