Poetry and Identity Introduction

Name:

Date:

📚 Part 1: Understanding Identity and Poetry

1. What does "identity" mean to you? Circle all that apply:

Your cultural background

Your family and whakapapa

Your beliefs and values

Your experiences and memories

Your connection to place

Your hopes and dreams

2. How might poetry be different from other forms of writing when expressing identity?

3. Which poetic techniques do you think would be most effective for expressing identity? Circle your top choice:

Metaphor and simile (comparing identity to something else)

Imagery (creating vivid pictures with words)

Repetition (emphasising important ideas)

Personal storytelling and memories

🔍 Part 2: Poem Analysis - Group Work

Poem title: ________________________________

Poet: ____________________________________

4. What aspects of identity does this poem explore? (e.g., cultural, personal, family)

5. Find and write down one powerful image from the poem. Explain how it connects to identity:

Image: "_________________________________________________"

6. Identify one language technique the poet uses (metaphor, simile, repetition, etc.) and explain its effect:

Technique: _________________ Example: "_________________________"

7. How does the poem's structure (line breaks, stanzas, rhythm) help express the poet's identity?

💭 Part 3: Reflection and Extension

8. After hearing about different poems today, complete this statement:

"Poetry helps us understand identity because it ________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________"

9. Think about the diverse voices we heard today (Māori, Pasifika, migrant, young New Zealanders). Why is it important to read poetry from different cultural perspectives?

10. Extension Activity: If you were to write a poem about your own identity, what would be your main focus? What technique would you use?

WALT Review: Tick the boxes for what you achieved today:

I can identify how poets use language, imagery, and form to express identity

I can discuss themes of identity in diverse poems

I worked collaboratively to analyse poems

I can reflect on poetry as a medium for exploring identity