Big Finish

This is the second of a podcast series for and about my English Honors II class. In this podcast, I explain the assignment for students to write a poem with Anglo Saxon attributes, and Ch'Rae reads her Beowulfish poem, "Big Finish."



Big Finish

by Ch'Rae

Dripping in sweat, Samantha stepped up to the white line that, in the end, would decide her future.
She dropped into position; One that she had assumed all too often.
Waiting for that one sound; the sound that would send her off to victory.
"On your mark..."
she was on it.
"Get set..."
she was set.
Click.
False alarm.
The slow trigger-puller of Roosevelt High slithered his long noodle of a body over to the powder-giver.
Samantha stood and watched patiently, heart cold and thumping.
Sweat seemed to pour more and more from behind her ears, her forehead, hands, and feet.
She was ready.
The crowd was silent, eager to hear the noise as well.

Once again, on your mark, get set, BOOM!
Samantha was off, a lightning bolt to the others.
Wind in her face, she rounded the first curve, hearing none of the other spiked sport shoes behind her.
Now came the straightaway. She could handle it. Small drops of sweat fell onto her legs, arms, and in her eyes, yet she still ran.
On and on she went.
Second curve, time to bring it all home.

She hit the straightaway and accelerated swiftly.
None of the others stood a chance.
Then, she saw it.
That white line of victory; the finish that would make the team champions.
Her leg strength was amazing and no one else's was even remotely close.
100 meters left.
50 meters.
25 meters.
FINISH!

Beowulfish Poem Assignment and Rubric

Using the Style of Beowulf as a Model

Choose some contest or athletic event that you can write about in the style of Beowulf, with compound words, alliteration, and strongly accented lines. For example,

Bold and brave, the best of forwards
Dribbled down the metal-ringed court deftly,
Fearlessly followed by swift-footed foes.

Beowulf Poem Rubric

Focus/Organization

• Expresses feelings and ideas about a particular person, place, or idea
• Uses a form and tone appropriate to the subject
• Uses two or more sound devices such as rhythm and repetition
• Uses two or more Anglo Saxon devices such as caesuras, alliteration and compound words
• Conveys a sense of completeness in the presentation of subject

Elaboration/Support
• Uses imagery and figurative language to bring the subject to life
• Incorporates vivid and powerful language

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics
• The poem is free of misspellings
• Words are capitalized appropriately
• Uses punctuation effectively

Marching Band

This is the first of a podcast series for and about my English Honors II class. In this podcast, I explain the assignment for students to write a poem with Anglo Saxon attributes, and Alexandria reads her Beowulfish poem, "Marching Band."



Horns held high, they marched forward.
Their hard work was apparent in their precision
Each step struck the ground simultaneously
Each individual moved synchronically,
creating a union of one.

As they came to an abrupt halt,
Sound poured out of their shining-companions
It filled the stadium, reaching every ear.
The familiar melody and attuned harmony,
exhilarated the excited crowd.

Their synchronicity dazzled the crowd
As they marched off the field with illuminous pride
The crowd cheered wildly,
Praising their proudly performed presentation.