Lesson Plan

Rumi Writer’s Workshop Lesson Plan

Lesson 1: Introduction to Rumi and the Poetry of the Heart

Begin the workshop by introducing the students to the life and work of Rumi, a 13th century Persian poet and Sufi mystic.
Discuss how Rumi’s poetry is focused on the themes of love, spirituality, and self-discovery.
Share examples of Rumi’s poetry and discuss the unique style and language used in his work.
Ask the students to share their own experiences and perceptions of love and spirituality as a way of connecting to the themes present in Rumi’s poetry.

Lesson 2: The Poetry of Self-Discovery

In this lesson, the students will explore the idea of self-discovery through writing their own poetry.
Begin by discussing the concept of the “true self” and how it can be difficult to access and express.
Have the students brainstorm and write down their own personal values, beliefs, and desires as a starting point for their poetry.
Then, have the students use these personal insights to write a poem that expresses their own sense of self and identity.

Lesson 3: The Poetry of Love

In this lesson, the students will delve deeper into the theme of love as it is expressed in Rumi’s poetry.
Begin by sharing examples of Rumi’s poems that focus on love in all its forms, including romantic love, self-love, and love for others.
Discuss the different emotions and experiences that can be present in love, such as joy, pain, longing, and acceptance.
Have the students write their own poems about love, using Rumi’s poetry as inspiration.

Lesson 4: The Poetry of Spirituality

In this lesson, the students will explore the theme of spirituality as it is present in Rumi’s poetry.
Begin by discussing the role of spirituality in Rumi’s work and how it is expressed through his poetry.
Share examples of Rumi’s poems that focus on spirituality and ask the students to reflect on their own spiritual beliefs and experiences.
Have the students write their own poems about spirituality, using Rumi’s poetry as inspiration.

Lesson 5: Writing Workshop

In this lesson, the students will workshop their own poems with their peers and receive feedback on their work.
Divide the students into small groups and have each student share their poem with their group.
Encourage the students to give constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Have the students revise their poems based on the feedback received.

Lesson 6: Poetry Readings

In this lesson, the students will have the opportunity to share their poems with the larger group in a poetry reading.
Have the students sign up to read their poems and provide them with tips on how to effectively deliver their work in a public setting.
Encourage the students to provide feedback and support for their peers during the readings.

Lesson 7: Final Reflections

In the final lesson, have the students reflect on their experience in the workshop and the growth they have experienced as writers.
Ask the students to share their thoughts on what they have learned about Rumi’s poetry, as well as their own writing.
Encourage the students to continue their writing journey and to seek out opportunities to share their work with others.
Conclude the workshop with a celebration of the students’ achievements and the impact they have made on each other’s writing.