Poetry & Creative Writing: the Judah 1 Consciousness Poetry Method
Unit Structure
The course is divided into three progressive phases:
1.Self Discovery & Identity
2.Voice & Personal Mythology
3.Poetic Craft & Form
UNIT 1: Self Discovery Through Poetry
Lesson 1: My Shadow Self
Students explore hidden aspects of identity.
Activity: Students write a poem about:
• fears
• secrets
• inner struggles
• hidden strengths
CASEL Alignment
Self Awareness
Example Prompt
What parts of yourself do people never see?
Lesson 2: My Light Body
Students explore their highest self.
Poem focus:
• dreams
• purpose
• gifts
• future potential
Contrast with Shadow Self poem.
Lesson 3: The Mask I Wear
Students create a paper mask.
Front of mask: Who the world sees.
Inside of mask: Who they really are.
Writing Exercise
Poem titled:
“The Mask I Wear”
Themes:
• identity
• performance
• social pressure
VAPA Alignment
Connecting visual art with literary expression.
UNIT 2: Identity & Personal Voice
Lesson 4: The "I Am" Poem
Students write 15 lines beginning with “I am”.
Examples:
I am the son of thunder
I am the quiet storm
Purpose
• build poetic voice
• affirm identity
Lesson 5: “I Will Be”
Students write a future identity poem.
15 lines beginning with:
I will be…
Focus:
• aspirations
• legacy
• destiny
CASEL
Responsible decision making.
Lesson 6: My Spirit Animal
Students select an animal that represents them.
Then write a poem exploring shared qualities.
Examples
Wolf – loyalty
Falcon – vision
Panther – power
Prompt
What animal reflects your spirit?
UNIT 3: Learning Poetic Forms
Lesson 7: Acrostic Poetry
Students write poems where:
Each line begins with letters spelling a word.
Example:
POWER
P — Purpose rising
O — Over every obstacle
Teaches:
• structure
• creativity
Lesson 8: Couplets & Quatrains
Students explore:
• 2-line stanzas (couplets)
• 4-line stanzas (quatrains)
Concepts introduced
• rhyme
• rhythm
• structure
Lesson 9: The Sonnet
Students study the classical 14-line sonnet.
Focus:
• theme development
• structured rhythm
• volta (turn)
Students create their own modern sonnet.
Lesson 10: Haiku
Students explore Japanese poetry.
Structure:
5 syllables
7 syllables
5 syllables
Focus:
• nature
• imagery
• simplicity
Lesson 11: Verses — From Sonnet to 16
Students explore the connection between poetry and hip-hop writing.
Topics:
• 16 bar verse structure
• rhythm
• rhyme patterns
• flow
Students write a 16 bar verse.
This connects poetry to modern music culture.
Lesson 12: Ekphrastic Poetry
Students write poetry inspired by visual art.
Activity:
Students view a painting or photograph and write a poem describing or responding to it.
Purpose
• observation
• interpretation
• interdisciplinary creativity
Final Showcase
Students perform one of their poems at a class poetry reading or open mic.
This supports:
• confidence
• presentation skills
• artistic pride
Assessment Methods
Students evaluated on:
Category/ Weight
Participation/25%
Creativity/ 25%
Completion/ 25%
Performance/25%
Focus is expression and effort, not grammar perfection.
Brave Spaces Agreements
Students agree to:
• Listen respectfully
• Speak honestly
• Challenge ideas, not people
• Support fellow artists
Class II: Spoken Word & Performance
Course Purpose
This course teaches students how to bring poetry to life through performance.
Students will learn:
• stage presence
• vocal control
• rhythm and timing
• emotional expression
• audience engagement
• performance confidence
Students will transform written poetry into powerful spoken word performances.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Develop confidence speaking in front of an audience.
Learn techniques for vocal projection and articulation.
Understand how rhythm and pacing affect poetry.
Use body language and movement to enhance meaning.
Perform original poetry with authenticity and impact.
UNIT 1: Voice & Presence
Lesson 1: Finding Your Voice
Students explore how their natural speaking voice carries emotion.
Exercises
• breathing techniques
• projection exercises
• speaking poetry slowly and clearly
Activity
Students read one line of poetry three different ways:
• whisper
• conversational
• performance voice
CASEL Alignment
Self Awareness and Self Confidence
Lesson 2: Breath & Power
Students learn that breath controls performance.
Exercises
• diaphragm breathing
• speaking while controlling breath
• sustaining long phrases
Performance drill
Students perform a short poem without rushing.
Lesson 3: Rhythm & Flow
Students explore poetry as rhythm.
Connections to:
• music
• rap
• spoken word cadence
Exercise
Students clap or tap rhythms while reading poetry.
Goal
Understand how rhythm shapes emotion.
UNIT 2: Stage Presence
Lesson 4: The Power of Silence
Students learn that pauses are part of performance.
Exercise
Students perform a poem inserting intentional pauses.
Lesson concept:
Silence can be louder than words.
Lesson 5: Body Language & Movement
Students explore how posture and movement affect delivery.
Topics
• standing posture
• eye contact
• gestures
Activity
Students perform the same poem:
• sitting
• standing
• moving
Then discuss the difference.
Lesson 6: Emotional Delivery
Students explore how emotion changes performance.
Exercise
Students perform a poem in different emotional tones:
• anger
• joy
• sadness
• determination
CASEL Alignment
Emotional awareness.
UNIT 3: Audience Connection
Lesson 7: Eye Contact & Energy
Students learn how performers connect with audiences.
Exercises
• looking at different parts of the room
• engaging listeners
• commanding attention
Lesson 8: Performance Authenticity
Students explore being real on stage.
Discussion
What makes a spoken word performance powerful?
Students analyze performances from well known poets.
Focus
• honesty
• vulnerability
• storytelling
Lesson 9: Memorization Techniques
Students learn strategies to perform without reading.
Methods
• chunking lines
• visualizing imagery
• rhythm memory
Practice
Students memorize 8–10 lines of their poem.
UNIT 4: Performance Development
Lesson 10: Rewriting for Performance
Students revise poems to make them stronger for the stage.
Focus
• punchlines
• repetition
• rhythm
Students edit their poem for live delivery.
Lesson 11: Rehearsal & Coaching
Students rehearse performances and receive feedback.
Peer review:
• clarity
• emotion
• stage presence
PBIS Alignment
Encouraging constructive feedback.
Lesson 12: Final Performance
Students perform an original spoken word poem.
Possible formats
• classroom poetry slam
• open mic
• school showcase
Final Reflection
Students discuss:
• what they learned about themselves
• how poetry helped them express emotions
• what performing felt like
Assessment
Category/ Weight
Participation/ 25%
Performance effort/ 25%
Creativity/ 25%
Final performance/ 25%
Focus is on effort, growth, and courage, not perfection.
Brave Spaces Classroom Principles
Students commit to:
• respecting all voices
• supporting performers
• listening actively
• encouraging artistic courage
Why This Course Works
It strengthens:
• confidence
• communication skills
• emotional intelligence
• public speaking ability