Curriculum / ELA / 7th Grade / Unit 11: American Poetry (2020) / Lesson 7
ELA
Unit 11
7th Grade
Lesson 7 of 18
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Identify and explain how personification affects the tone in “Suicide Note from a Cockroach.”
Poem: “Suicide Note from a Cockroach in a Low Income Housing Project” by Pedro Pietri
Article: “Nuyorican Poets Cafe: History & Awards”
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved.
What is personification?
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How does the personification add a humorous tone to this dark poem? Explain in three to five sentences using one or two details from the poem.
What to look for in student response:
The personification adds a humorous tone to this dark poem by showing how a cockroach has heavier issues than one may think. An example of this can be found in this line below: “Noah also took Cockroaches into his ark / Why should we be denied co existence???” This line personifies the concerns of the cockroach with the problem of inequality. The speaker shows this by using the image of Noah and his ark. The author points out every animal, including cockroaches, to be considered for Noah’s ark. This is humorous because normally people think about larger animals and not a small, dirty insect such as a cockroach. Other possible details, "I use to come/ From a very large family/ And now I am down/ To my last second cousin-in law/ I have been married seven times/ I have never been divorced/ All my wives and husbands/ Are now resting in peace". These lines personify the image of the cockroach having a crazy number of marriages and divorces with both males and females. This shows a humorous tone because of the crazy number of partners the cockroach is referring to that are now “resting in peace.” It’s humorous because of the number but still dark because it is a harsh reality to many low-income minorities.
Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
What is the tone of the poem? How do you know? Circle one or two:
Identify one piece of evidence to support your answer above.
Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson
The poet acts as ventriloquist, putting his feelings into the body of the roach.
RL.7.3 — Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
RL.7.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
Next
Explain how the poet uses imagery to develop his point of view.
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
RL.7.3RL.7.4
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
Explain how the structure of the poem supports the theme.
RL.7.2RL.7.5
Analyze how Franklin Adams develops theme in his poem “Those Two Boys.”
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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