88. PAINT CHIP POETRY (Writing, Discussion, Collaboration)
Description: Paint Chip Poetry is a creative writing strategy that uses names from paint sample cards as poetic prompts. Popularized by Danna Smith, this activity invites students to explore language, imagery, and emotion, promoting vocabulary engagement and metaphorical thinking.
Application: Use this engaging activity for bell ringers, poetry units, art collaborations, and/or end-of-unit creative synthesis.
Process: Before class meets, gather paint chip samples from the hardware store, enough for class set. Keep entire sample intact or cut into parts. On class day, randomly pass out one sample per student. Share a sample poem or model using three paint chip names. Provide guidelines such as Use two to four sample names from card and compose a poem that includes those names, literally or metaphorically. Must have at least three stanzas. Attach paint chip(s) to the final product. Elevate assignment by adding a visual representation component. After activity, facilitate peer sharing to celebrate student work, followed by reflective discussion on how color influenced tone, mood, and meaning, and how unexpected vocabulary shaped creative expression.
Description: Paint Chip Poetry is a creative writing strategy that uses names from paint sample cards as poetic prompts. Popularized by Danna Smith, this activity invites students to explore language, imagery, and emotion, promoting vocabulary engagement and metaphorical thinking.
Application: Use this engaging activity for bell ringers, poetry units, art collaborations, and/or end-of-unit creative synthesis.
Process: Before class meets, gather paint chip samples from the hardware store, enough for class set. Keep entire sample intact or cut into parts. On class day, randomly pass out one sample per student. Share a sample poem or model using three paint chip names. Provide guidelines such as Use two to four sample names from card and compose a poem that includes those names, literally or metaphorically. Must have at least three stanzas. Attach paint chip(s) to the final product. Elevate assignment by adding a visual representation component. After activity, facilitate peer sharing to celebrate student work, followed by reflective discussion on how color influenced tone, mood, and meaning, and how unexpected vocabulary shaped creative expression.
Reference, graphics, and/or for more information:
88. Paint Chip Poetry
Smith, D. (2021) Paint Chip Poetry, Colorful Wordplay. Poetry Pop Poetry Blog
Bryant, M. (2018) 6-Step Paint Chip Poetry for High Schoolers. https://longtolearn.blogspot.com/2018/04/6-step-paint-chip-poetry-for-high.html
88. Paint Chip Poetry
Smith, D. (2021) Paint Chip Poetry, Colorful Wordplay. Poetry Pop Poetry Blog
Bryant, M. (2018) 6-Step Paint Chip Poetry for High Schoolers. https://longtolearn.blogspot.com/2018/04/6-step-paint-chip-poetry-for-high.html