In this lesson, we focused on the Shakespearean Sonnet and iambic pentameter. In his Sonnet #127, William Shakespeare muses on beauty and its perception as a ‘currency’ in the modern world: ‘In the old age, black was not counted fair.” Students took some time to experiment with iambic pentameter and rhyme scheme. Below are some examples.
Lesson Note: A strict form such as the Shakespearean Sonnet, might actually allow for creativity rather than hinder it. Here students experimented with the creative power of limitations. ‘I can’t think of a more contemporary writer [than Shakespeare]- Actress, Glenda Jackson.
Ms. Munoz, 7th Grade
Period One
Michael K.
No one loves me except myself and death
The end is nigh near or far way now
I mean it’s bad like Satan and his breath
You may ask I am saying now and how.
Joshua R.
No one loves me except myself and death
The end is nigh near or far away now
I can’t eat anything because I am watching Macbeth
She loved him all the time I don’t understand how.
Meghan C.
People pray and laugh they are in their prime
Even though those people will soon forget
Eventually, as time erases time
Memories fade of those they had met.
Ms. Munoz, 7th Grade
Period Three
Cat
Jaretsy E.
In the morning wake to see her cat
The cat will eat a feast unlike my pet
My dog will sleep I said except she sat
Instead, I took the cat to friend Anette.
I swing the ball bat handed the game begun.
And then I ran as fast to score Homerun.
Hahn-Saem L.
In the morning I wake to see my cat
The cat will eat the feast unlike my friend
My friend will go and walk to see my rat
I now will go to spend my great weekend.
Maria I.
Birds are the best and hand one in my pool
Birds are the best and had lots in my pen
So cute and mystical they’re very cool
and in my pen is a very big hen.
Asia L.
I like to go to the fields at dawn
and see the cute tiny fawns on the lawn.
Ms. Munoz, 9th Grade
Period Five
Francisco S.
After the day is dark and night falls
I soon lay on my head and the owl calls.
Gabriel L.
Anxiety will overcome your life.
It will lend happiness forever more
Your life will end tonight due to its knife
Your life will change forever -after torn.
Melissa L.
Anxiety will overcome your life
it will end happiness forever more.
Anxiety can shut off the mind.
I am in the dark forever more.
Natasha W.
Anxiety will overcome your life
It will end happiness forever more.
You have to try will of your might
Scared to death even help will be a bore.
Ms. Munoz, 7th Grade
Period Seven
Connor M.
People always want more than what they got
Because food is yummy in their tummy
You better eat it when it’sJ fresh and hot
And then hope that it’s not gross or gummy.
Chantal R. and Lana T.
Stop please the more you have the worse it gets
Help yourself, soon you’ll want to eat your pets.
Joshua J.
My food, my food, I love my good its good
The food is bland or tastes as it should.
Ms. Munoz, 9th Grade
Period Eight
Nicholas T.
Good food is good the best in our country
Let’s bake a cake that’s sweet and warm to eat.
The smell of food that makes us really hungry.
When we go out with friends we eat too much.
Anastashia T.
Good food is good the best in our country
Let’s bake a cake that’s sweet and warm to eat.
The smell of food that makes us really hungry.
We go out with friends we eat so much.
Shreya K.
Good food is good the best in our country
Let’s bake a cake that’s sweet and warm to eat.
Awesome food you can not find in the country
That food is something that is not easy.
Tyrick E.
Good food is good the best in our country
Let’s bake a cake that’s sweet and warm to eat.
When you eat the cake it screams with such glee!
We love to make good food for our bellies.
Delia R.
We should go eat something in my sweet home.
Let’s go eat some sweet ice cream in a cone.
Alex M.
Good food is good the best in our country.
Let’s bake a cake that’s sweet and warm to eat.
Pizza is great that’s very cheesy-munchy.
I went to McDonalds-had a nice seat.
