A Tanka Published

I’ve found that submitting myself to a strict poetical form helps me find clearer focus in all of my writing. I intend my efforts at Tanka to help me write incisive prose. It’s a surprise when one gets published. I thought I’d share the surprise. You’ll have to scroll down a bit, but all of the poems are worthy.

P.S. Those of you who know me are well aware that I shamelessly plagiarise myself! Forgive me!

Here’s a link:   https://tankajournal.com/issue.php?id=11&issue=8

 

A Crow Fell

Friend and Colleague John Miller recruited me to contribute to his teaching unit on Medieval Japan a couple of years ago. One of the tanka I wrote as an example for the students was included in the Tanka Journal # 3. Another was just published in Tanka Journal #4. A print edition is available from Prolific Press. Here’s a link to the online journal:

http://tankajournal.com/issue.php?id=7&issue=4

 

More Tanka for Minecraft

John Miller has ten thousand irons in as many fires. He took a bit of time from his busy schedule to help me update my Tanka unit on TPT. I’ve added more poems by his students and a couple of new activities. If you have a moment, check out the revised unit.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Tanka-for-Minecraft-1648050

Tanka for Minecraft

 

Poetry is a powerful way to engage middle school students in critical thinking and writing. I’ve created lessons on writing Japanese Tanka in hopes that it will help get young people to write good poetry. I’ve included models, simple instructions and prompts. I’ve also added a cooperative learning activity that allows students to share their work in a structured manner. These lessons may be used alone or (Much better!) in connection with John Miller’s amazing Minecraft project. His 7th grade students created a medieval Japanese landscape and imbedded their poems within it.

Here’s a link to the unit on TPT: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Tanka-for-Minecraft-1648050

Here’s the link to the Minecraft project:

http://minecraft.edtecworks.com/2015/01/09/medieval-japanese-poetry-and-minecraft/

Please share the possibilities!