Posted at the request of Holly Dilatush--

Note: the discussion list would not accommodate the attachment.  If you 
would like the attachment, request it off list from me at 
<djgbrian at utk.edu> and include the e-mail address where I will send it.

Donna JG Brian
Moderator, NIFL Workplace Literacy Discussion List, and
Coordinator/Developer LINCS Workforce Education Special Collection at 
http://worklink.coe.utk.edu/
Center for Literacy Studies at The University of Tennessee
600 Henley Street, Suite 312
Knoxville, TN 37996-4135

865-974-3420 (desk phone) FAX 865-974-3857
djgbrian at utk.edu




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jon, all,

I've not implemented these ideas specifically in a Workplace Skills class, 
but have
used them in a workplace setting for a PreGED class held on worksite. I'm 
really
short on time and don't want to procrastinate (because then I might not 
answer at
all) -- but I HIGHLY recommend Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones.

There are easy-to-follow ideas for poems included, and many of them would 
be EASILY
adaptable to target workplace issues.

I've used her ideas in several different settings to teach poetry to 
various groups
-- ESL and non.

And I agree, SUPERB idea and I'm glad you're intentionally planning for it 
in the
curriculum. It is amazing how the voices of "non-writers" can spill poignantly
into poetry!

Three other ideas to try (-- and they may be from this book, I'm not sure! 
-- especially
with groups who say they cannot write poetry, don't like poetry, or that 
they don't
'do' poetry) [best if modeled first]

1) Shape poems -- put students in pairs or groups of three.
a) Have them choose a shape related to their work -- a computer monitor, a 
broom,
a sewing machine, anything!
b) Ask each of them to write a list of words they associate with their work
c) Ask them to write an action phrase to go with each word on their list 
(example
sew = sew a sleeve; broom = sweep the floor, closet = gather supplies,
etc.)
d) Challenge them to make a poem -- and the length of the lines or words 
MUST build
the outline/shape they have selected. It's OK (and good syllable practice 
for them)
to split a word at the correct syllable mark.
I'm attaching one of my Shape poems for an example

2) Diamante poems (adapt for workplace)

3) Acrostic poems -- have each student write (vertically) their job title. 
Then
challenge them to write a word or phrase about their work that begins with 
each
letter of their position (example
Always working hard
Indispensable
Dedicated
Eager to please the boss

Hope this helps a bit,
would love to hear what other ideas you come up with as well -- if you're 
willing
to share your curriculum when finished (is it ever finished?).
Thanks,
Holly

Holly (Dilatush), also known as "Ms. D"
Visiting English Instructor
Institute of Foreign Language Education
The Catholic University of Korea
Buchon, South Korea
"Live with intention. Share inside-out smiles, inspire hope, seek awe and 
nurture in nature."
"Encourage, enable, enact an easing of global poverty..."
"It is not enough to be compassionate, you must act..."
[Korea! Photos galore and stories: www.tabulas.com/~smilin7 and 
www.tabulas.com/~blogblossoms]
website (under development): www.geocities.com/smilin7h