aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English
What age group	Year or Grade 8
What topic	Poetry Performance
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Engaging Entry into Poetry Performance

Lesson Topic: Poetry Performance
Grade Level: 8

---

🎭 Introduction: The Power of Poetry in Performance

Hook: The Mystery of the Mask

Begin the lesson by dimming the lights and placing a mysterious mask on a table at the front of the classroom. This mask symbolizes the persona we often adopt when performing poetry.

Step 1: Create Intrigue

Start with a brief, dramatic reading of a famous spoken word poem, such as selections from Maya Angelou or Langston Hughes. Use varied tones and expressions to convey the emotions behind the words.

After reading, ask the students:

• What did you feel while I read?
• How did the performance change your understanding of the poem?

Encourage them to share their impressions, emphasizing how performance can alter the impact of poetry.

Step 2: The Mask Mystery

Introduce the mask as a representation of the different voices and personalities we can embody in poetry performance.

Ask Students:

• What character or persona might you choose to embody when performing a poem?
• What emotions can this mask convey in your performance?

Step 3: Group Activity

Organize the students into small groups. Each group will choose a short poem and discuss how they might use different performances or living "masks" to convey its themes.

Group Discussion Points:

1. Character Interpretation: Who is speaking in the poem? How can you bring that character to life?
2. Emotional Tone: How can varying your tone of voice and facial expressions change the audience's reception?
3. Physical Movement: What gestures or movements enhance your delivery?

Conclusion: Setting the Stage for Performance

Wrap up the introduction by explaining that throughout the lesson, they will explore techniques for effective poetry performance.

Transition: Invite each group to present their chosen poem with the persona they've created, encouraging them to perform with confidence as if wearing their own masks.

---

This engaging start will excite students about the dynamic world of poetry performance and prepare them for a hands-on exploration of voice, emotion, and character.