20th Century Poets Teacher Resources

What do an early 20th century poet and a 1980's rock star have in common with a novel from the 1960's? Using Wilfred Owen's poem "Disabled" and George Michael's song "Mother's Pride," learners answer questions about the lyrics and themes...

Here is a complex lesson plan that interweaves the history of the Jim Crow South and the Great Migration with the study of poetry, art, and blues music from the Harlem Renaissance. The plan helps young historians develop a deep...

An extensive review of European dynamics in the mid-to-late 19th century, this presentation clearly outlines the steps taken to unify Italy as well as Germany, and all the implications and effects therein. The slides set a strong context...

Carl Sandburg composed poetry that conveyed a time and place in American Literature and history. Learners identify the literary techniques he uses to describe the historical and cultural context of living in Chicago. They define the...

Guillaume Apollinare, known for his calligrams—shape poems—is the subject of a short video that introduces viewers to the works of this amazing artist.

Young scholars investigate African American history by researching culture. In this Harlem Renaissance lesson, students identify the teachings, music and art associated with African Americans in Harlem in the early 20th century. Young...

Pupils discover how immigrant cigar makers in this section of Tampa, Florida adapted to life in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th century while maintaining their ethnic identity. They design brochures describing the Ybor City.

Pair the famous poems "I Hear America Singing," by Walt Whitman, and "I, Too, Sing America," by Langston Hughes, with a more recent poem by Elizabeth Alexander called "Praise Song for the Day" to demonstrate a theme and introduce your...

Construct from a canvas of words, lyrical expressions that your budding poets can share and post.  Based on refrigerator magnet poetry, creative writers can develop their poetry independently, or from a given prompt from their instructor.  

After reading "Fire and Ice," have your class answer these seven thought-provoking questions. Some questions ask readers to connect with the text while others require the learner to reference the text in order to provide an answer. 

Check reading comprehension for "The Death of the Hired Man" by Robert Frost with this quiz. The tone of the questions match the serious tone of the poem and are very straightforward.

Eighth graders describe the relationship between the visual aspects of "Easter Wings" and the poem's subject, and theorize about the poet George Herbert's motivations in constructing the poem this way. They demonstrate their ability to...

Students explore the connections between Langson Hughes and blues music. In this African American culture activity, students compare and contrast blues music with poetry and short stories by Langston Hughes.

Students identify different types of literary terms in poems. They read different poems and create a packet summarizing them. They write a poem of their own and a biography of one of their favorite poets.

In this poetry discussion worksheet, students consider the elements of poetry as they respond to 6 short answer and essay questions based on the poem "My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun –."

Students examine the historical and cultural context in Sandburg's poem. The poetic devices of personification and apostrophe are utilized in the poem and identified by Students.

Young scholars examine The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. In this visual arts activity, students study the historical significance of the event as they examine the Grant Wood painting and primary sources regarding the event.

Students investigate the dramatic elements of The Crucible. In this drama lesson, students explore the elements and themes of the Arthur Miller play as they read the play and watch performances of some of the acts. Students then write...

For this Idaho worksheet, students complete 20 questions about Idaho trivia. Students may click on an answer button for immediate feedback.

Students describe James Whitcomb Riley's poems and identify the themes they portray. In this poetry lesson plan, students read the history of James Whitcomb Riley and read some of his poems.

Students read the series of books called The Freddy the Pig Series by Walter R. Brooks and complete activities with them. In this The Freddy the Pig Series lesson plan, students write poetry, create drama, write in journals, do...

Fifth graders re-read the story "The Highwayman" understanding the term "narrative verse". As a paired activity, they predict who or what might be the audience and provide feedback.

Students discover the background of Pope John Paul II. In this modern history lesson, students research the life of Karol Joseph Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) in order to understand how his past paralleled his papacy.

Students write an essay comparing Arthur Mille's The Crucible and one of Tennessee Williams' plays. In this Tennessee Williams lesson, students discuss the influence of Puritanism on modern American drama. Lesson includes a vocabulary...