Fighting Obesity with Haiku Poetry
By Robert Parody
I.S 143
INTRODUCTION
You will be given the chance to express yourself by
addressing the topic of obesity with poetry. You will write haiku and seneru
poemswhich address your views on food, obesity and the myriad of choices which comprise
the Omnivore’s Dilemma as expressed by Michael Pollan.
TASK
You will be expected to write at least four haiku or seneru poems
which address obesity. Haiku is a popular form of poetry that can be both
quickly written and easily understood. Read
the following three haiku poems that reflect problems with junk food or a junk
food diet. They are seneru, which is a haiku with humor:
French fries and burger
hot apple pie with ice cream
and a diet coke
Twinkie r.i.p.
you killed far too many diets
for me to shed tears.
the
candy stand
doom
in the morning
for
my new diet
Haiku are in
general serious poems and their brevity allows for deep thinking or reflection
on moments in life that can be disturbing or sad. These three haikus show this
to be true:
The desperation
of eating or not eating
the last piece of cake.
Models on t.v.
All of them far too slender
starved for attention.
large man on stretcher
white sheet that covers him moves
on way to the morgue.
Process
Remember to follow these rules when writing haiku:
1.
Limit each
haiku to 17 syllables.
2.
Each haiku
must have three lines
3.
Each haiku
must be about food or obesity.
4.
No similes
or metaphors-poem must be easily understood
5.
Poem must
be in the present tense.
6.
Students do
not have to follow the 5-7-5 syllable pattern but may not exceed seven
syllables on any line.
After you
have completed your haiku you will copy them and hand them in on a sheet of
paper. You may also read your best haiku to the class for assessment by both your
peers and the instructor.
Using the
Public Policy Analyst to Achieve Our Goal (humorous poems that raise awareness of the problem
of obesity)
2. Gather the Evidence of the Problem
Use this website (several links listed) to gather evidence: http://www.obesity.org/resources-for/obesity-links.htm
Use the links to locate causes of obesity in our community: http://www.obesity.org/resources-for/obesity-links.htm
4. Evaluate the Existing Policy How is the school and
surrounding community creating obese students?
5. Develop Public Policy Solutions
6. Select the Best Solution After deciding on the best
solution, incorporate it into your poems.
Examples of how to use facts in poetry can be seen in the
following poems:
Food’s
killing me slow
bit
by bit and bite by bite
taking
far too long.
The
doctor tells me
that
Nothing is looking good
and
least of all me.
Resources:
·
http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/thematic_poems/haiku_poems.html
·
http://www.ahapoetry.com/haiku.htm
·
http://www.haikupoetshut.com/
Evaluation
·
Completion of PPA Steps: 50%
·
Poems: 50%
Poetry Rubric
http://departments.bcsd.com/cipd/Chris%20Poetry%20rubric.pdf
Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3d Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events
Photo
Credits
Hamburger
Twinkies
Man on Bike
Cracked mirror
HEALTH CARE