ELA6, CSS, Sferrazza

A sense-of-place poem strives to evoke strong emotions. Words provide more than just a description of a particular location, making the readers feel like they have been there; the words create a mood. 

Before delving into the following, let's think about listening and viewing skills. When watching videos or listening to audio, the same before, after, and during strategies as you use when reading or viewing apply. This video is focused on listening, but you want to be "whole-body viewing" too.

Here are some more very important tips for active listening:

There are some videos you have to watch in this course, and you want to do more than sit in front of the screen. You want your brain engaged. You want to be whole-body listening. Watch Cookie Monster as he demonstrates (because you can NEVER be too old for cookie monster!). When you watch videos, listen to audio, or even listen to another person, you can also use the same strategies.

Go to your Learning Guide and complete the reflections on Listening.

Shane Koyczan, Canadian poet and spoken-word artist, was born in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, to a French mother and a father of First Nations heritage. He grew up in Penticton, British Columbia. Koyczan has been winner of both the individual champion title at the National Poetry Slam and the Canadian Spoken Word Olympics. He performed his poem “We Are More” at the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Millions of people have viewed the youtube video of his anti-bullying poem, “To This Day,”; Koyczan has even given a TED Talk on bullying and created a free anti-bullying smartphone application as part of his "To This Day" Project. 

His poem, "Walking Through Words", is a powerful poem about the wild within British Columbia, Canada. The poem was turned into a video by Destination BC (a company that promotes tourism). Follow Koyczan as he travels through the lush rainforest of Meares Island and explores the beach of Vargas Island, all in BC. 

Before viewing:

Go to your Learning Guide and complete the Before You View activities.

Review the steps for first and second viewings: 

• First viewing - sit back, watch, listen, and enjoy.: 
• Try to get the "gist" of the text - a sense of what it is about and a sense of how it may be read. 
• Try to make a picture in your mind of what is happening. 
• Ask yourself questions. 
• Look for big ideas! 

• Second viewing: Try to understand the video better. Take notes, write down questions, notice imagery and literary devices, and make connections. You may stop and start the video as you listen and watch. 

Go to your Learning Guide and complete the First, Second, and Third Viewing activities as you enjoy the video below: