Dear Basketball Writing Activity
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Dear Basketball, Kobe Bryant Poetry Analysis & Write-Your-Own Poem Activity
This engaging poetry lesson guides students through a close reading of Kobe Bryant’s Dear Basketball, with open-ended analysis questions (answer key included), a write-your-own “Dear…” poem scaffold, and a printable coloring page. Designed to support discussion, literary analysis, and personal reflection, it works well for upper elementary through middle school classrooms and pairs easily with the short film.
3rd - 8th
English Language Arts, Poetry, Reading
"Dear Basketball" Poem Writing Activity
In light of the recent tragedy of Kobe Bryant's passing, I decided to have students read his poem, "Dear Basketball." As we read, students noted his use of figurative language, his structure, and writing techniques. Then, using his poem as a model, students wrote about one of their passions. **Newly Updated - 2/6/20 - I added an extension activity for students to record a reading of their poem using Vocaroo. As a class, we had a great discussion about how there was so much more emotion listenin
5th - 7th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts
"Dear Basketball" Personification Poem Writing Activity for High School
Celebrate the life of Kobe Bryan while engaging students with poetry by learning & applying personification after reading “Dear Basketball” and watching the short video. Students use Kobe’s poem as a model to then write their own personification poem and determine the mood of the poem through word choice. Editable slides for expectations and the rubric to fit your students’ ability levels. This google slides digital mini lesson is perfect for high school or middle school students and works well
7th - 10th
English Language Arts, Poetry, Reading
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.4
, CCRA.R.5
+1
Also included in: Digital Poetry Analysis & Writing Bundle for High School
Bryant's “Dear Basketball” Poetry Unit Choice Board + Writing Activities
🏀 A complete, engaging poetry mini unit your students will actually connect with! This resource combines listening, analysis, and creative writing using Kobe Bryant’s powerful poem “Dear Basketball.” Students explore emotion, analyze poetic devices, and create their own original “Dear _____” poem—all within a structured, easy-to-follow lesson sequence. 📘 What’s Included:🎧 Listening & First ResponseGuided listening activityStudent reflection questionsDiscussion prompts🧠 Poetry Analysis Choic
6th - 9th
Creative Writing, Poetry, Writing
Poetry Writing Activities with Bryant's "Dear Basketball" Scaffolded
Looking for a meaningful, engaging poetry lesson that actually gets students to feel their writing? This “Dear Basketball” inspired lesson uses a powerful mentor text structure to help students analyze poetic devices and write their own emotional farewell poem from a character’s perspective. This lesson blends literary analysis with creative writing in a way students connect to immediately. This lesson is scaffolded. ⭐ What’s Included:✔ Full lesson plan (2–3 days) ✔ Poetic Devices Hunt workshee
7th - 9th
Creative Writing, Poetry, Writing
SEL Blackout Poem Lesson & Writing Activity Kobe Bryant Dear Basketball #6
Your students will love learning about Blackout Poetry with this Blackout (Found) Poetry Lesson Plan & Writing Activity. Teach students all about Blackout poetry with this poetry unit which features the Kobe Bryant "Dear Basketball" Poem. Lesson 6 of 18 in the poetry series "Who Am I? The Discovery of the Self Through Poetry ". It also includes a complete CCSS, Next Generation & SEL standards-aligned lesson plan for teachers to follow with in-depth instructions, a model blackout poem entitl
6th - 12th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Poetry
CCSS
RL.6.4
, RL.7.4
, RL.8.4
+26
Kobe Bryant Dear Basketball Poem — Analysis & Paired Text Michael Jordan Letter
Students LOVE reading and analyzing Kobe Bryant's "Dear Basketball" Poem. In this activity, they will complete a Poem Analysis & Compare/Contrast Paired Text Activity. The paired text students will look at is Michael Jordan's 2003 Retirement Letter, also titled "Dear Basketball."In 2015, Bryant announced his retirement through “Player’s Tribune” in a poem titled “Dear Basketball.” In the poem, Bryant shares his love for the sport with the world. Bryant later earned an Academy Award for Best A
6th - 10th
English Language Arts, Poetry
CCSS
RL.7.1
, RL.7.2
, RL.7.4
+11
"Dear Basketball" poetry analysis, comprehension and writing
Celebrate Poetry month or use during your poetry unit! This resource is a full poetry analysis of the poem, "Dear Basketball" by Kobe Bryant. Students close read to analyze tone, word choice, theme. Then use the planning sheet for students to write their own version. Easy prep! Just print and go. Or place in your online classroom. What is included?Printable pdf for students to analyze the poem on paper. Google slides version where students can type answers directly on the slides.
5th - 9th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Poetry
CCSS
CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
, CCRA.R.4
Also included in: Poetry Unit- analysis and poetry writing BUNDLE, Middle School
"Dear Basketball" by Kobe Bryant: Poem Analysis & Writing -BUNDLE
This NO-PREP BUNDLE includes a Google Slide presentation and the 2-sided printable student handout for teaching Kobe Bryant's meaningful poem, "Dear Basketball". There is a quickwrite to introduce the Literary Elements presented through this poem, then students will read and watch the beautifully animated short. They will analyze this poem by looking at it's theme, style, personification, and flashback, and will conclude by composing a free verse poem about one of their own passions.
3rd - 12th
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Poetry
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+15
Poetry Writing Activities + Poetic Devices using Bryant's "Dear Basketball"
Looking for a meaningful, engaging poetry lesson that actually gets students to feel their writing? This “Dear Basketball” inspired lesson uses a powerful mentor text structure to help students analyze poetic devices and write their own emotional farewell poem from a character’s perspective. This lesson blends literary analysis with creative writing in a way students connect to immediately. This lesson is scaffolded. ⭐ What’s Included:✔ Full lesson plan (2–3 days) ✔ Poetic Devices Hunt workshee
7th - 10th
Creative Writing, Poetry, Writing
Also included in: Bryant's “Dear Basketball” Poetry Unit Choice Board + Writing Activities
"Dear Basketball" by Kobe Bryant: Poem Analysis & Writing -Slide Presentation
Bring poetry to life with this powerful, NO-PREP high-interest lesson built around Kobe Bryant’s “Dear Basketball”. Through text and the animated video students students will experience Kobe's emotional farewell to the game. Students will analyze Bryant’s free-verse poem while exploring theme, flashback, personification, and passion—all through a text that resonates deeply with today’s students. This lesson concludes by having students write a free-verse poem about one of their passions
3rd - 12th
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Reading Strategies
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+15
Also included in: "Dear Basketball" by Kobe Bryant: Poem Analysis & Writing -BUNDLE
Kobe Bryant / March Madness Writing Activity
UPDATED to include the expository prompt that my students worked on in honor of Kobe Bryant. Students viewed his short film, Dear Basketball, and they discussed what made him great. They also discussed what elements made them great. Two different writing activities are included for March. Have fun with this month's March Madness by having students work together or individually by competing against other's essays. Students are encouraged to write their best possible essay to make it to the ch
2nd - 8th
English Language Arts, Writing, Writing-Expository
Also included in: Growing Bundle: Monthly Expository Writing Activities
“Dear Basketball” by Kobe Bryant: Poem Analysis & Writing Lesson-Handout
Bring poetry to life with this powerful, high-interest NO-PREP lesson built around Kobe Bryant’s “Dear Basketball”. The text and animated video are linked so students can read as they watch this emotional farewell to the game. In this lesson, students will analyze Bryant’s free-verse poem while exploring theme, flashback, personification, and passion—all through a text that resonates deeply with today’s students. This lesson concludes by having students write a free-verse poem about one o
3rd - 12th
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Poetry
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.4
+11
Also included in: "Dear Basketball" by Kobe Bryant: Poem Analysis & Writing -BUNDLE
Dear Basketball poem by Kobe Bryant Digital Escape Room Activity
One of my favorite poetry activities! A digital escape room activity inspired by the poignant poem written by Kobe Bryant. Students will find themselves immersed in the world of basketball as they complete the analysis of the poem and the Dear Basketball Escape Room Activity. This resource includes: Lesson plan on introducing students to the poem through the "Dear Basketball" video A copy of the poem, "Dear Basketball" by Kobe Bryant A Digital Escape Room Activity link Students will fall in lov
3rd - 9th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Poetry
Dear Basketball by Kobe Bryant - Worksheets, Poetry Writing, Video Comparisons
Kobe Bryant’s Dear Basketball beautifully blends poetry and storytelling. This comprehensive lesson plan includes everything you need—analysis activities, creative writing, paired videos, and engaging discussions. What's Included:- Common Core Standards - Teaching Guide - Pre-Activity Questions - Poetic Device Matching - Poetic Device Hunt - Poem Analysis Questions - Short Film Analysis Questions - Paired Video - Poetry Writing Guide, Worksheets, & Rubric - Bryant vs. Jordan
5th - 10th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Poetry
CCSS
RL.6.1
, RL.6.2
, RL.6.4
+8
"Dear Basketball"- in memory of Kobe Bryant- Letter Activity
I know my students will want to talk about the tragic news that happened to one of their favorite basketball players. I will want to share with them, how inspiring Kobe Bryant's hard work was, and to be able to inspire them with Kobe's message, I thought I would talk about his 'Letter'. We will be listening to his message and filling in the missing words. I also included "WH" questions to get the students thinking about the special words Kobe Bryant used in his "Dear Basketball" letter. We wil
4th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
For All Subjects
"Dear Basketball" by Kobe Bryant: Poetry & Multimedia Analysis
Bring your poetry unit to life with this high-interest "Dear Basketball" Multimedia Analysis Lesson! 🏀✍️ Perfect for secondary ELA, this resource uses Kobe Bryant’s Oscar-winning short film and poem to master complex literary devices like tone, mood, and personification through a medium students actually love.🌟 What’s Included? Comprehensive Slide Deck: Visually engaging slides to guide your instruction from start to finish. 💻Step-by-Step Lesson Plan: A "no-prep" guide for 1–2 full class peri
7th - 12th
Close Reading, Poetry, Writing
CCSS
RL.9-10.1
, RL.9-10.2
, RL.9-10.4
Also included in: Secondary Poetry Unit Bundle: Analysis, Writing, & Graphic Organizers
Dear Poem & Painting Project: Inspired by Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball'
Unleash your students' creativity with the "Dear Poem" and Painting Project! This comprehensive, cross-disciplinary activity guides middle school students through writing a deeply personal poem and creating an accompanying painting that visually represents their work. Inspired by Kobe Bryant's poignant "Dear Basketball" poem, this project helps students explore their passions and express themselves through written and visual art forms. What's Included:Detailed Lesson Plans:Day 1: Introduction an
6th - 9th
Creative Writing, Poetry, Visual Arts
Also included in: Poetry Enrichment Bundle: 4 Weeks of Engaging Lessons
Kobe Bryant Writing Activity
This assignment uses Kobe Bryant's Letter to My Younger Self and Dear Basketball to guide students through writing their own letter or poem.
6th - 12th
Literature, Poetry, Reading
CCSS
CCRA.R.5
, CCRA.R.9
, CCRA.W.3
+1
Passion Poem Writing Activity
Help your students unleash their passion for writing poetry with this engaging activity. Students will listen to or read the poem "Dear Basketball" by Kobe Bryant to begin this activity. They will brainstorm ideas on the "Brainstorm" sheet before choosing their topic. The graphic organizer will help your students to organize their stanzas before writing their first draft on one of the two sheets provided. Finally, students will use the graphic arts tool, Canva, to design the final copy of the
5th - 12th
Graphic Arts, Poetry, Writing
Middle School Poetry Unit | 4 Weeks | Poetry Bundle | Analyzing & Writing Poems
This resource is a FULL POETRY UNIT for ELA grades: 7th, 8th, or 9th! You will get a collection of different lessons, activities, and projects, plus a TDA essay, digital escape room, and final test! I've also included an example schedule for teachers to follow day-by-day! Included in this middle school poetry unit bundle:Introduction to Poetry Lesson & Guided NotesKobe Bryant "Dear Basketball" Poem & Paired Text Michael Jordan Letter"Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost Poem Analysis and Pai
7th - 9th
English Language Arts, Literature, Poetry
CCSS
RL.7.1
, RL.7.2
, RL.7.5
+14
Dear Basketball: A Poem Activity Inspired by Kobe Bryant
Expose students to the power of poetry using Kobe Bryant's letter to basketball as a model. After leading students on an analysis of Bryant's moving poem and maybe even listening to a YouTube video of his recitation of the poem, have students consider what they are passionate about. Use the poetry frame in this download to help students craft their own poem to their passion. When they are finished, students can type their poem and hang them in hallway, add to their digital portfolio, or share a
4th - 12th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Reading
Basketball Paired Passages and Writing Prompts - Middle Grades (5-8) Poetry / NF
Do you struggle getting your students interested in reading and writing poetry and nonfiction? Incorporate student interests in sports with these basketball poetry and nonfiction paired passages! Perfect for March Madness or Poetry Month in April, these paired passages are sensitively differentiated and incorporate print & Google Slides digital versions. This paired passage resource focuses on poetry and nonfiction; your students will compare and contrast texts from different genres. Inclu
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Poetry, Writing
CCSS
RL.6.6
, RL.6.10
, RL.7.10
+36
Kobe Bryant's "Dear Basketball": Poem & Film Analysis + Student Poem Template
Included in this resource: PDF of Kobe Bryant's poem, "Dear Basketball"Graphic organizer focusing on theme, author's purpose, tone, and mood in both the poem and the Oscar-winning short film (available to watch free online)Template for students to write their own Kobe-inspired "Dear..." poem about their own passions
Not Specific
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Poetry
CCSS
CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.5
, CCRA.R.7
+1
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