Poetry and Suicide…Not the way you’d think

First semester, I always cover poetry as it’s an 8th grade state standard for Indiana.  I have recently added a new poem to my collection, which has enabled me to talk about some pretty heavy themes.  The poem is “The Thread” by Ellen Raskin from her book Impulse.  You can find it on the back cover of the book.  I use the poem to talk about free verse, as there is no rhyme or rhythm, but Ellen has designed the poem to make a thread with the words which ends with the word Act.  But, it is the content of the poem which made me choose it.  “The Thread” is a poem about three teenagers who attempt suicide and fail. 

While attending the funeral of a recent graduate who had chosen to end his own life, I was made aware by his mom that suicide is something that needs to be talked about.  Another student at my school attempted suicide this summer, and I know countless others who have contemplated it.  Suicide is a subject that needs to be brought into the light.  This poem is the way I do it. 

This year, we read the poem together.  Initially the kids are in shock, as the last line is “Put the gun to my chest.”  Once they got past the “Wow, Psycho!” comments, I asked them what they thought about it.  They correctly identify that the poem is written from the perspective of someone who is suicidal.  I explained the background of Raskin’s book and pointed out her obvious design in the poem.  We talked about the metaphors in the title:  Hanging on by a thread (Which breaks when the person attempts suicide.) 

When I initially asked what they can relate to in the poem, I was greeted by blank stares.  So, I asked some questions from the poem.  “How many of you have wished you could stop thinking?”  Every hand goes up.  “How many of you have memories you wish you could forget?”  Again every hand.  “Did you ever want to stop replaying a conversation over and over in your head?”  Every hand.  I began to share with them that one of the biggest lie someone who’s suicidal feels is that they’re alone.  That nobody understands what they’re feeling.  “Obviously,” I said, “That’s a lie, as everyone of you just said you’ve been there.” 

We then proceeded to talk about “Coping methods.”  What can you do when you feel this way?  The kids had some very good ideas:  Talk to someone, play a sport, consider someone who has less than you, etc.  The thing that most hit me happened in my fifth hour class.   We were sharing as usual, and one girl piped up, “I thought about killing myself this summer.  I’m still torn up about my dad leaving.  I decided not to because I thought about how it would affect my mom and my sisters if I died.”  Another boy chimed in, “Yeah, I was like that–my dad and brother make fun of me a lot, so it’s hard to be at home.  I thought about killing myself, but I decided it wasn’t worth it.  I had too much to lose.”   These were two VERY popular kids.  I shared with both of them (And the class who was listening in) about the fact that killing yourself doesn’t just eliminate you, it takes out anyone who would come through your line (kids, grandkids, etc.)  I also challenged the class to make sure to let each other know what they meant to one another, as they could have lost two classmates.  I also told the students who shared how glad I was that they had chosen to stay with us and the difference they make for me. 

So, poetry can be a great way to teach life skills–literally and figuratively.  Who knew!

Read Full Post »

Decorating a Classroom

I have been blessed to have had a lot of leeway in my classroom.  My first year of teaching at this school, I approached my principal to ask about painting my room.  A number of other teachers in the building had painted on a small-scale because of research class they had taken that showed students learn better in a place where they feel comfortable.  I asked if I could do a bit more.     

When I got permission from the administration, I let my students decide our themes and this is the results.  I also want kids to be learning, even if they’re staring into space…    

Side wall of my class

Read Full Post »

A Little Drama Goes a Long Way (Ballad of Barbara Allan)

This week, we covered the Ballad of Barbara Allan in class, and I was reminded again how much students enjoy being involved physically in their lessons.  

The Ballad of Barbara Allan is a really old poem about a woman named Barbara Allen who is loved by “dear sweet William,” whom she rejects, and he dies.  On the surface, it doesn’t have a lot to do with the typical junior high student.  But, anything about relationships relates to junior highers, so I decided to get them involved.  Here’s how we did it:

Cast:  Narrator, Barbara Allan, William, Servant, 6 pall bearers.

Basic Action:  The narrator begins telling the tale.  “William” is seated on 2 folding chairs, AKA his “deathbed.”  He calls his servant to retrieve Barbara Allan (I insert the line “Go get Barbara Allan” into the poem.)  She comes and rejects him.  He dies, is lifted by the pallbearers so she can see him, then is set in the “old church tomb” (back on the chairs).  She dies and is buried beside him.

Discussion points:  We discuss “cheating” in a relationship.  Barbara Allan accuses William of  cheating on her.  I ask my students, “Guys, what do you say if your girlfriend is accusing you of talking to other girls?”  They give a variety of excuses.  “William says, ‘I was just telling them how much I love you, baby.’ (Rough Paraphrase)  Do you buy that, ladies?”  Of course, they say no. 

Favorite parts:  The kids love embarrassing their classmates who have to pretend to love each other.  They also love being pall bearers as the boys get to pick up their classmate who has to stay still and pretend to be dead.  “Barbara Allan” also has to lay on the floor and pretend to be dead. 

The bottom line is anything a student has to act out definitely makes an impression.  I’ve had students act out Canterbury Tales, The Boston Massacre, Lincoln’s assassination, the Vietnam War, the catacombs, travelling to the New World, many ballads, and diagramming parts of speech.  Invariably, these are the things people remember.  So, go ahead!  Have a little drama!

Read Full Post »