In the fall of 2014, I completed over 50 clinical hours at Mason City High School with English Department Chair, Deadra Stanton. My experience consisted of taking control of her 10th grade English classes, teaching every Friday.
One of my first set of lessons was on the book, Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom.
I started with what I called the ‘Coach/Mentor Poem.’ Wanting to integrate creative writing into the curriculum, I thought I could have the students apply ideas and relationships from the story to their personal lives.
Students analyzed relationships in the story, then created two narrative poems about a mentor figure or coach figure in their personal lives.
Here is the original lesson plan: Coach/Mentor Poem Lesson Plan
In September 2015, I revisited this idea and lesson in my student teaching placement!
To read more about that experience, click here.