Longing to Belong: Poems, Essays, and Short Stories

Lesson 5
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ELA

Unit 1

7th Grade

Lesson 5 of 25

Objective


Analyze how word choice and structure contribute to the speaker's perspective in the poem.

Readings and Materials


  • Poem: “Hanging Fire” by Audre Lorde 

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A Note for Teachers


The title of the poem, "Hanging Fire," is a reference to the phrase "hang fire." This phrase originated in the field of firearms, where it refers to an unexpected delay between the triggering and firing of a gun. Note that the reference to firearms and anxieties about premature death may be sensitive or triggering for some students. Address this sensitive content as needed for students. 

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How does word choice and structure contribute to the speaker's perspective in "Hanging Fire"? 

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • How does the double meaning of title contribute to the speaker's perspective?

  • What is the significance of repetition in the poem? 

  • Analyze how Audre Lorde uses punctuation in the poem. How does punctuation contribute to the speaker's perspective? 

Exit Ticket

Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

Vocabulary


Literary Terms

speaker

the voice of the poem or the person speaking in the poem

stanza

a grouping of lines in a poem, separated from the next grouping by a line space

refrain

a phrase or line repeated at intervals within a poem, especially at the end of a stanza

rhyme scheme

the ordered pattern of rhymes at the ends of the lines of a poem or verse

free verse

poetry that does not rhyme and (generally) has irregular line lengths

lyric poetry

conveys the poet's thoughts and feelings and creates a mood through vivid images and descriptive words, but does not have a clear rhyme scheme or pattern structure.

Text-based

betrayed

v.

to treat in a disloyal or unfaithful manner (line 2)

Homework


Lesson 6 is a multimedia lesson. There is no assigned reading in preparation for tomorrow.

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Common Core Standards


  • 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.
  • RL.7.5 — Analyze how a drama's or poem's form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning.
  • RL.7.6 — Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.

Supporting Standards

L.7.5
L.7.5.a
L.7.5.b
L.7.5.c
L.7.6
RL.7.1
RL.7.2
RL.7.10
SL.7.1
SL.7.6
W.7.1
W.7.1.a
W.7.1.b
W.7.4
W.7.9
W.7.9.a

Next

Gather information from various multimedia sources to determine the central idea of belonging for Native People of the Northern Plains.

Lesson 6
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