St George is around the corner and this year we will focus on our Erasmus + project about nature and well-being.
Connecting with nature is known to have lots of positive effects on our mental health and well-being. It could mean growing plants, tending to vegetables, going for a walk, relaxing in a local green space and generally embracing it!
Poets from all centuries have found inspiration in nature to create their poems and express their feelings. Poetry helps express emotions and creates a connection with the reader.
I. This year, you will have to create a calligram. Do you know what a calligram is? What is the name of a famous poet who created calligrams?
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A calligram is made of two words (calli = beautiful, gram = message). They use the design and shape of the letters, the ink color, the paper quality, and the frame, to deliver a combined effect and communicate something beyond the message of the letters themselves.
II. Observe examples of calligrams:
Source: https://jenikirbyhistory.getarchive.net
What do you think this poem is about, just looking at the form? What do you think the poet’s mood and feelings were when he wrote it? This is a poem by Gillaume Apollinaire and the original language is French. Click here to check out an English version. What do you think it is about?
What about this other one? What is it? Read the poem. What feeling do you get?
III. Now it’s your turn to be a poet. Follow the steps to write your calligram. First you write the poem and then you will design the form.
STEP 1. Think about the topic (it must be related to nature and well-being)
STEP 2. Brainstorm ideas. Use the dictionary to find words that you may need. How does the topic you chose make you feel? Think about adjectives, actions that you may use to express your feelings.
Cambridge Dictionary / Wordreference
STEP 3. Write your poem. Remember that every line in a poem is called a VERSE. Is your poem going to rhyme? Check the following document to see some rhetorical devices you can use.
STEP 4. Design the shape and create your calligram!
