Initial ideas
Project Title
“Voices Uncovered: Blackout Poetry for Change”
Project Overview
In this project, students will transform an existing informational or literary text into a blackout poem that communicates a message about an issue affecting their community or society. By selecting meaningful words and phrases, students will analyze text, determine central ideas, and create poetry that reflects their voice and perspective as agents of change.
This project supports multilingual learners by:
Allowing choice and personal relevance
Reducing linguistic load while maintaining rigor
Encouraging visual, oral, and written expression
TEKS Alignment (Student-Friendly)
7.10B – I can analyze how the author’s ideas are developed through word choice and structure.
7.1A – I can communicate my ideas clearly through speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
7.8 – I can analyze and respond to informational texts about real-world issues.
7.9 – I can use literary techniques (tone, imagery, mood) to express a message or theme.
Text Options (Teacher-Selected, Student-Accessible)
Choose short, grade-appropriate texts connected to real-world issues:
News articles (adapted/simplified)
Speeches or excerpts (youth activism, civil rights, environmental justice)
Informational passages about community, school, or global challenges
📌 Tip: Provide multiple texts at different reading levels and allow students to work in pairs or small groups.
Day 1: Exploring Voice & Blackout Poetry
Learning Goal
Students will understand how authors use word choice to communicate ideas and emotions.
Activities
Hook: Show an example of blackout poetry (projected or printed).
Ask: “What message do you think the poet is trying to send?”
Mini-Lesson:
What is blackout poetry?
How does removing words change meaning and tone?
How poetry can be used to speak up and inspire change
Guided Practice:
Model how to read a text, circle powerful words, and test possible poems.
Student Practice:
Students preview texts and highlight words that stand out to them.
⭐ Day 2: Civic Voice & Issue Selection (Student Choice Day)
Learning Goal
Students will identify civic or societal issues they care about and connect those issues to text.
Student Discussion Prompt (Post on the Board)
“What issues in your school, community, or world matter to you and deserve to be talked about?”
Small-Group Discussion (Sentence Stems for EB Support)
“One issue I care about is ___ because ___.”
“This issue affects my community by ___.”
“I want people to think/feel ___ about this issue.”
Possible Civic & Societal Issues (Student-Generated, with Examples)
Bullying or cyberbullying
School fairness or student voice
Environmental issues (pollution, climate, littering)
Immigration or belonging
Poverty or hunger
Mental health and stress
Violence or safety
Equality and justice
📌 Important: Encourage students to add their own issues and honor home, cultural, and lived experiences.
Exit Ticket
Students respond in writing:
“The civic or societal issue I want my blackout poem to focus on is ___ because ___.”
Day 3: Creating the Blackout Poem
Learning Goal
Students will analyze word choice and structure to communicate a clear message.
Steps
Read the full text again
Circle words connected to their chosen issue
Arrange words into a poem (without adding new words)
Black out the remaining text
Add simple illustrations or symbols to reinforce meaning
Day 4: Reflection & Sharing
Learning Goal
Students will explain how their word choices communicate a message about society.
Reflection (Written or Oral)
Students respond using sentence stems:
“My poem is about ___.”
“The words I chose show ___.”
“I want my audience to understand/feel ___.”
Gallery Walk or Poetry Reading
Students display poems
Optional: peer feedback using “I notice / I wonder”
Assessment (Rubric Categories)
Clear message/theme connected to a civic or societal issue
Thoughtful word choice and text analysis
Use of literary elements (tone, imagery, mood)
Reflection explaining meaning
Effort and creativity
Why This Works for EB Students
✔ Builds academic language through discussion and stems
✔ Honors student voice and identity
✔ Allows multiple modes of expression (visual, oral, written)
✔ Connects literacy to real-world empowerment