In this lesson, grade 6-8 students analyze a variety of poets and their poetry by reading and listening to their work. Students then use information gathered from Internet resources to select a favorite poet and perform one of their poems for the class. During the four 30-minute and five 20-minute sessions, students will: analyze a variety of poems from a variety of online resources; compare the concrete similarities and differences of several poems; build connections between personal experience and literature; analyze the elements a poet uses to develop meaning; explore and develop an understanding of audience, speaker, narrator, and writer; analyze mood and theme; explore the impact spoken language has on meaning; use dramatic voice and expression; and evaluate their own performance and the performance of others based on a specific evaluation rubric. The instructional plan, lists of resources, student assessment/reflection activities, and a list of National Council of Teachers of English/International Reading Association (NCTE/IRA) Standards addressed in the lesson are included. A poetry presentation rubric, a WebQuest entitled "In the Poet's Shoes," and Thinking About Poetry Notes are attached. (RS)