Poems Behind the Masks

A Mask and Poetry Museum

Created by
Ms. Roderick's
Ceramics Classes


Poetry Support by Judi Moreillon,
Teacher-Librarian
Sabino High School
Tucson, Arizona

Fall 2003

 

Personal Mask
by Kristen

Personal Mask
by Jason

Personal Mask
by Taylor


Students in Ms. Roderick's ceramics classes at Sabino High School created personal masks and composed personal mask poems. The personal masks were part of a mask unit that also included research and a brief report on a cultural mask and recreating that mask in clay.

To prepare to write their personal mask poems, students worked with teacher-librarian Dr. Moreillon to learn how their masks could be used as poetry writing prompts. As they viewed photographs of traditional masks, students listened to poetry related to those masks. They made connections between each photo and poem. Students learned to web themes, ideas, and words related to a personal mask. They learned or reviewed poetic devices: rhythm, rhyme, alliteration, assonance, personification, onomatopoeia, personification, simile, and metaphor. We discussed voice (or mood) and correspondence between mask and poem. Using one mask as a prompt for all five classes, each period wrote a group poem and evaluated it using a rubric.

After completing their personal masks, students utilized that rubric as a guide as they composed their poems. Students self-assessed their poems; Dr. Moreillon assessed them as well. Ms. Roderick evaluated students' personal masks. Students' masks and poems were on display in the library from December 1st through 3rd, 2003 in the Poems Behind the Masks : A Mask and Poetry Museum. A reception was held for the artists and their friends on December 3rd.

 
Link to PowerPoint: A Mask and Poetry Museum.
Contact Judi Moreillon: storypower@theriver.com
Judi Moreillon's Home Page: https://storytrail.com