This year in Grade 9 English, Mr. Nick's students have been encouraged to explore any topic they feel worthy of condemnation and to transform pens into protest signs. Ranging from issues as global as war or economics to something as personal as struggles with friendship and mental health - these are the issues getting tackled by the upcoming generation. See all of our poems at the dedicated Grade 9 Protest Poetry Google Site. By Atharv Ever wondered why we value numbers so much? Or why do we get distracted so easily? These seemingly random and absurd ideas have been carefully considered by the 9th graders, shedding light onto issues we often overlook. Through refining and crafting their verses, they are challenging norms, questioning authorities and standing up for what they believe in. Meanings have been layered so that there are always deeper connotations beyond the literal words. The poems intertwined words, videos and music to elicit a response from the viewer, encouraging them to think deeper. However, this wasn’t the belief at the time, where poetry was considered “an outdated Shakespearean art from that has no meaning”, as an anonymous student (me) described it. Yet, when students discovered that poetry is present in all modern and popular songs, the perception started shifting. Recent titles such as “This is America” were comprehensively analyzed, portraying poetry not as a monotonous form of literature but rather as a medium through which individuals can articulate some of their innermost thoughts, feelings and perceptions. Photo by Linus Nylund on Unsplash From analyzing poems employing a rigid iambic pentameter structure to free verse, we soon started to realize poetry is not confined by rigidity or rules; instead, it has the flexibility to embody a wide range of emotions. The value of poetry extends beyond words on paper, lying also in its capacity to connect people across cultures, generations and backgrounds. The subjective nature of poetry allows each reader to interpret and engage with texts through a personal lens, creating a unique experience that transcends other forms of communication.
This unit encouraged students to broaden their vision, and delve into an issue that they believe is worth protesting against. This meant that they were always personally engaged with their poem, ensuring that every single one of the pieces is meaningful and relevant to their lives, experiences and beliefs. For instance, an excerpt from Dakshu’s poem Lost in a Trance: The screen was so bright, my world so confined, A universe in my palm, yet hopelessly defined Like a fading star, my worth dims every night There are many more like this on our dedicated Grade 9 Protest Poetry Google Site (read Echoes of the Trenches by me if you want to read the most profound piece 😉) The Grade 9 team sincerely hopes you enjoy reading and viewing our work.
1 Comment
Terry Maguire
29/3/2024 12:37:51
Congrats, Atharv, to you and the other poets for bringing this powerful collection of poetry to all of us! Bravo!!
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