S.C.A.M.P.E.R. is a thinking technique that can be applied to any creative endeavor. Using it as a lens through which to explore poetry is a novel approach and adds a fun dimension to a poetry mini-unit.
in previous posts, I’ve shared about S.C.A.M.P.E.R. If it’s new to you, please read S.C.A.M.P.E.R. Across the Disciplines ~ Creative Thinking in All Subjects which includes this free introductory slide show that’s fun to share with students.
The S.C.A.M.P.E.R lesson ideas detailed below can also be used as mini-lessons throughout the year with students of all ages. This slide presentation presents a quick overview of what is presented below, with just a few examples. It is intended to give you a head start if you are interested in developing your own S.C.A.M.P.E.R. Poetry mini-unit. Make a copy HERE.
SUBSTITUTION in POETRY
Before introducing these poems, you might ask students for their ideas. Ask, “How can we get creative with poetry using substitution?“
Substitution poems are a great way to reinforce parts of speech and style. A model poem is chosen and rewritten by substituting words. Students have to think about parts of speech and syntax. It’s a great creative exercise. A famous one is “Where I’m From” and it’s very easy to find free templates for classroom use with a simple Google search.
Nonsense poems are good examples of how substituting made-up words and phrases changes a poem. “Jabberwocky” is my absolute favorite nonsense poem to share with students, 3rd and up. Reading it is a bit like solving a puzzle. Using context clues, parts of speech, and a little guessing, students enjoy discussing what Lewis Carrol was imagining. Ian Byrd shares lesson ideas here and has created a wonderful three-part video lesson available in Byrdseed TV. It’s also a great time to teach students the term neologism.
Constrained poems often involve substituting words in order to meet specific constraints. If you are challenged, for example, to write a poem that does not contain the letter E, you have to find substitutes for words that contain that letter.
| SUBSTITUTION POEMS | Substitute each word in a model poem. Sample Poem “Where I’m From” |
| NONSENSE POEMS | Substitute made-up words for real ones “Jabberwocky” “Today I Decided to Make Up a Word” “On the Ning, Nang, Nong” “My Favorite Word is Floofy” |
| CONSTRAINED POEMS (read more here) | Substitute words according to the constraints Examples include lipogrammatic poetry (see below) |
COMBINATION in POETRY
Students may be able to come up with their own ideas about how a poem can be changed by combining elements or combining entire poems. Spend some time brainstorming before sharing the poetry ideas below.
Two parts can be combined into one poem. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices is a classic text for this, and some teachers have recommended Messing Around on the Monkey Bars and Other School Poems for Two Voices. Each poem has two parts and is designed to be read by two people; some lines are read in unison and some are read separately. Challenging students to create and perform their own two-person poems could be fun and engaging.
One type of novel poem that is a form of combination is contrapuntal poetry. I think I would reserve this for grades 5 and up. It probably was inspired by counterpoint in music (see video below) in which two melodies are independent, but sung together. If you introduce this type of poem, you might want to share the video with your students.
| TWO-VOICE POEMS | Create a poem in two parts, combined when read aloud Sample Poem |
| CONTRAPUNTAL POEMS | Combine or intertwine two poems into one. Sample Poem An Attempt at a Contrapuntal Poem by Donna Lasher |
Here are some additional examples of poetry that connect to the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. technique.
ADAPTATION in POETRY
| REMIX POEMS | Change a poem to a different setting or era. “‘Twas the Day Before Winter Break” |
| PALINDROME POEMS | Adapt a poem so that it can be read top to bottom or vice versa. This could also be considered a rearrangement. “Reflections” and others |
MODIFICATION in POETRY
| MICROPOEMS | Write a very short poem Examples here |
| MONOSTITCH POEMS | Write a one-line poem “Regret” |
| EPIC POEMS | Make it longer! “The Iliad /The Odyssey” |
| SHAPE POEMS | Modify a poem to create a certain shape “My Body” and others |
POETRY PUT TO OTHER USES
| MEMORY POEMS | Use a poem to memorize something “Learn the Presidents” |
| HIDDEN MESSAGES | Use a poem to conceal a message Read an example here “Fantasy Poem“– to introduce a novel |
| PAYING TRIBUTE | Use a poem to honor someone “O Captain, My Captain” |
| POEMS THAT TEACH | Use a poem to learn vocabulary, for example Sample: ABC Personalities |
ELIMINATION in POETRY
| BLACKOUT / FOUND POEMS | Eliminate words to find a poem Sample Poem |
| SPOKEN WORD | Eliminate a written component Sample Performance |
REARRANGEMENT in POETRY
| SPOONERISM POETRY | Rearrange / swap initial letters of words “I’m Ceiling Fad!” |
| GOLDEN SHOVEL POEMS | Choose one line of a poem. Write a poem in which the words from one line of the original poem appear at the end of each line of your poem. Sample written by children’s author Kathryn Apel |
| CUT-AND-PASTE POEMS | Magnetic Poetry (Use a kit like this one or make them yourself with magnetic tape |
Related Resources:
S.C.A.M.P.E.R Across the Disciplines: Creative Thinking in all Subjects
Constrained Writing: It’s a Thing!
S.C.A.M.P.E.R. Numbers and Math ~ Critical Thinking Mini-Unit
Fibbing Can Be Fun ~ Poetry Gallery
How to Think About a Number ~ Let Us Count the Ways