With redactions in the spotlight, I thought it would be fun to share (in honor of National Poetry Month) the following Blackout Poetry resources.
This is a fabulously fun way to explore and create poetry! Have you ever tried it?
This post contains affiliate links.
What is Blackout Poetry?
Blackout Poetry is when you take a previously written work and you change it through redaction or art to highlight specific words or phrases to create your own poem.
The previously written work forms the foundation of this type of poetry. We strongly recommend old books that are falling apart and ready to be recycled. But you can also use newspapers, magazines, catalogs, instruction manuals, pamphlets - really ANYTHING that has text.
There are many creative ways to make this type of poem. One way is by simply taking any written material and you choose words to create your own poems....then you mark out the rest!
Videos on Blackout Poetry
Or, if you are an artist and poet (like Picasso!), then you can create more colorful, fluid versions. Check out this video:
Here are a few other videos you may like:
- Blackout Poetry: A 5-Minute Lesson
- Blackout Poetry Lesson Grades 6-12
- Blackout Poetry (A remarkable video for older students!!! Comes with links to downloads.)
- 5 Ways to Create a Blackout Poetry Journal (wow)
- How to Create Awesome Digital Blackout Poetry in Google Slides
Articles & Lesson Plans
TeachKidsArt has a wonderful article with examples of artistic blackout poetry, too.
And if you are looking specifically for a lesson plan, Just Add Students has this fabulous one.
TpT also has a ton of Blackout Poetry lesson plans you can download.
Books
Below are a couple of book suggestions for Blackout Poetry. I tried to choose books that use classic works or political texts so we don't have to worry about inappropriate content for kids. However, I have not read all of these, so as with all book or website recommendations, always check it out before your kids/students do!
Redaction at its best. 😂
Redaction at its best. 😂
