Assignment 6 How it went

I was pleased with how this lesson worked.  The students were more than willing to create a list of words that stuck out to them during the Stations of the Cross, but were a little hesitant when I instructed them to create a poem from those words.  They were relieved that it was a free verse poem.  I found it effective that I shared my poetry first.  (I know we are always supposed to model, but find that sometimes instead of modeling I roam.)  After I shared my attempt at a poem I asked the students who wanted to share.  Of course, there is always that one who is willing to share everything and he got things rolling.  After the first student shared I just waited.  It seemed like a long time, but I forced myself to just wait to see what happened.  Slowly, but surely, another hand went up to share, then more, until finely, about half the class volunteered.  The poems they created far exceeded my expectations.  I found them to be thought-provoking and insightful.  It was extremely quiet and peaceful in the room with students obviously reflecting on each poem.  After the lesson, I asked for their feedback. Students agreed that at first it was scary, but once they got started they enjoyed it.  They were also complementary of each other's poetry.  I will definitely be doing this activity again, and figure there will be other times I can use this as a response to literature.