Curriculum / ELA / 7th Grade / Unit 11: American Poetry (2020) / Lesson 13
ELA
Unit 11
7th Grade
Lesson 13 of 18
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Explain how the structure of the poem supports the theme.
Poem: “Motto” by Langston Hughes
Poem: “The Heart of a Woman” by Georgia Douglas Johnson
Video: “G. Yamazawa - "Elementary" (NPS 2014)” by Button Poetry
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved.
In “Elementary,” by G Yamazawa, what is the theme of the poem?
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How does the poet’s choice of free verse contribute to the theme?
What to look for in student response:
In free verse a poet has a greater freedom and variety of words and means to choose from to convey his exact meaning to the audience. Whereas in more traditional forms of poetry such as sonnets, for example, the poet has to work within the confines of the meter and form of the poem, thus limiting the poet’s true expression. Because his theme is about the importance and gravity of language, it is appropriate that he would pick a form (free verse) that did not limit his word choice.
Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
“Motto” by Langston Hughes:
“The Heart of a Woman” by Georgia Douglas Johnson:
“Elementary,” by G Yamazawa
RL.7.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
RL.7.5 — Analyze how a drama's or poem's form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning.
Next
Analyze how Franklin Adams develops theme in his poem “Those Two Boys.”
Explain the historical significance of the Harlem Renaissance.
Explain the benefits of writing in verse as opposed to prose.
Standards
RL.7.2RL.7.7
Identify and explain the purpose of rhyme scheme.
RL.7.5
Explain why Carl Linder would choose to use free verse rather than verse for his poem.
Identify and analyze how an author uses imagery to convey a theme.
Assess students on basic fluidity of poetry terms: rhyme scheme, verse, free verse, stanzas, lines, alliteration, mood, imagery, sensory details.
RL.7.2
Explain how the imagery affects the mood.
RL.7.3
Compare and contrast the imagery used to convey mood in a poem and in a painting.
RL.7.7
Identify and explain how personification affects the tone in “Suicide Note from a Cockroach.”
RL.7.3RL.7.4
Explain how the poet uses imagery to develop his point of view.
Explain how the author uses repetition to develop the tone in "Life Doesn't Frighten Me."
RL.7.4RL.7.5
Identify and analyze the use of onomatopoeia in “The Suicide.”
RL.7.4
Explain the purpose of a staggered line structure in “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.”
Identify and analyze how the historical context influences the speaker’s point of view in “Ego-Tripping.”
Explain what the lack of grammatical rules reveals about the speaker’s perspective.
RL.7.5RL.7.6
RL.7.2RL.7.5
Explain how Anzaldúa uses contrast to develop her theme.
RL.7.2RL.7.3
Explain how the author uses metaphor to develop the theme.
RL.7.2RL.7.4
Write a personal poem using imagery, figurative language, allusion, and theme.
W.7.3W.7.3.dW.7.3.e
Publicly present poems focusing on volume, eye contact, and body language.
SL.7.4SL.7.6
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