Poetry (2020)

Lesson 6
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ELA

Unit 9

6th Grade

Lesson 6 of 17

Objective


Identify and explain the purpose of hyperbole in a poem. 

Explain how hyperbole affects the tone of a poem. 

Readings and Materials


  • Poem: “Sick” by Shel Silverstein 

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Target Task


Question 1

Read “Sick” by Shel Silverstein.

All of the following are examples of hyperbole.

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Sample Response

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Question 2

What is the purpose of hyperbole in Silverstein’s poem?

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Sample Response

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Question 3

Explain how hyperbole helps develop the tone in the poem “Sick” by Silverstein. 

Key Questions


Read “I Ate a Spicy Pepper.” 

  • Find at least three examples of hyperbole. What is being exaggerated? 
  • What is the poet literally trying to convey by each of your examples of hyperbole? 
  • How does the poet’s use of hyperbole affect the tone? 
  • What other poetic devices does the poet employ to convey meaning? 

Vocabulary


hyperbole

Notes


  • This lesson connects to a unit test question.
  • Optional Activity: 

Write your own poem full of hyperboles:

  1. Pick something you love or hate (like a food or activity, for example). 
  2. Pick a feature or characteristic of the thing that you are writing about.
  3. Exaggerate that characteristic in every way you can think of, making a list as you go.
  4. Take your list of ideas and turn them into a poem.
  • Here are some more tips to help you get started:
    • When you write your exaggeration poem, it doesn’t have to rhyme.
    • If you can’t think of a funny ending for your poem, try ending it with the same lines you used at the beginning of the poem. 
    • (Activity adapted from “Kenn Nesbitt’s Poetry4Kids, “How to Write an Exaggeration Poem” )

Common Core Standards


  • RL.6.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.

Next

Identify and explain the purpose of sound devices (onomatopoeia and alliteration) in poetry. 

Explain how the aural depiction of the poem enhances or detracts from the mood.

Lesson 7
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