K20 LEARN
Spiders, Spiders, Everywhere: Poetry Analysis - Theme And Metaphor
Walt Whitman's poem "A Noiseless Patient Spider" provides high schoolers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of perseverance and fortitude. After drafting a Quick Write about a time they tried and tried again to accomplish...
K20 LEARN
Comparing/Contrasting Characters Through Two-Voice Poems: Characterization
Two babies, two fathers, two experiences, two worlds. Partners craft two-voice poems to capture the points of view of two men with very different lives who have just become fathers.
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "In a Neighborhood in Los Angeles" by Francisco X. Alarcón
After sketching an essential person and reading an article, scholars read the poem "In a Neighborhood in Los Angeles" by Francisco X. Alarcón. They listen to the poem in English and Spanish and record lines that stand out to them. Small...
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "The Snowfall Is So Silent" by Miguel de Unamuno
Cold, beautiful, unique! Class members closely examine John Singer Sargent's watercolor "Snow," taking note of the artist's techniques, and pair up to discuss how the image makes them feel about snow. They then repeat the process with...
K20 LEARN
Blackout Poetry: Re-Envisioning Writing
Introduce young poets to Blackout Poetry. Much like Found Poems, Blackout Poetry challenges scholars to rethink the process writers may use to craft their poems. After watching a short video in which poet Austin Kleon describes his...
K20 LEARN
Speak Your Truth: Techniques in Spoken Word Poetry
As part of a study of Spoken Word Poetry, class members watch a series of performance videos and note where poets get their ideas and the performance techniques used by the poets. Pupils then draft and share their poems.
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "We All Return to the Place Where We Were Born" by Oscar Gonzales
What do you remember about your childhood home? Scholars listen to Oscar Gonzales reading his poem "We All Return to the Place Where We Were Born" in Spanish and English, then discuss what they learned about Gonzales.
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "The Teller of Tales" by Gabriela Mistral
The poem "The Teller of Tales" by Gabriela Mistral is the subject of a thoughtful lesson that allows scholars to listen to or read the poem, then discuss its meaning.
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "When There Were Ghosts" by Alberto Ríos
Before cell phones, tablets, and computers with access to YouTube, before gleaming multiplexes and even before television, there were small theaters with Saturday night black and white movies. Alberto Ríos's poem "When There Were Ghosts"...
K20 LEARN
Diggin' Deeper - Poetry Made Relevant: Poetry And Poetic Devices
What do Beethoven, Bob Dylan, and Pharrell all have in common? Works by these three musicians are used to launch a study of poetry. Class members listen to passages from the music and craft a quick write about how the music makes them...
Curated OER
Sor Juana, la monja y la escritora: Las Redondillas y La Respuesta
Sor Juana, considered one of the first feminist writers and a great Latin American poet, is the topic and inspiration for this excellent activity. Use the introduction, guiding questions, and learning objectives to lead your class into a...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Sor Juana, la poetisa: Los sonetos
Examine two of Sor Juana's sonnets in depth. Learners first listen to an audio recording or a reading of the sonnets and then analyze the structure and form, paying attention to elements of the Baroque and el gongorismo. Assess student...
K20 LEARN
#Summarize: Summarizing
What are the effects of one's life experiences? Class members view a slam poetry reading, a speech by President Obama, and read a short story by John Steinbeck about responding to tragedies. They summarize these events and then craft a...
Curated OER
My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun – Theme of Mortality
In this poetry analysis worksheet, students read a paragraph regarding the preservation of life in "My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun –," by Emily Dickinson. Students consider the will to live, the “power to die,” and the power to kill as...
Curated OER
The Negro Speaks of Rivers Theme of Race
In this poetry analysis worksheet, students explore the theme of race in the Langston Hughes "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," as they read an excerpt about the perspectives that black people throughout history have taken with regards to...
Curated OER
Mending Wall Questions
In this poetry analysis worksheet, students respond to 7 short answer and essay questions that require them to analyze the poem "Mending Wall," by Robert Frost. Questions require students to consider whether they would rather be the...
Curated OER
I Heard a Fly Buzz – When I Died – Questions
In this reading comprehension activity, students respond to 5 short answer and essay questions based on the poem "I heard a Fly buzz – when I died –."
Curated OER
The Lamb Questions
In this reading reflection worksheet, students consider the content and themes of William Blake's "The Lamb as they respond to 6 short answer and essay questions based on the poem.
Curated OER
Diving into the Wreck Questions
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 4 short answer and essay questions based on the poem "Diving into the Wreck."
Curated OER
Dream-Land Questions
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 5 short answer and essay questions based on the poem "Dream-Land," by Edgar Allan Poe.
Curated OER
In a Station of the Metro Questions
In this reading comprehension activity, students respond to 5 short answer and essay questions based on the poem "In a Station of the Metro."
Curated OER
I, Too, Sing America Questions
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 5 short answer and essay questions based on the poem "I, Too, Sing America."
Curated OER
La Belle Dame Sans Merci Questions
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 5 short answer and essay questions based on the poem "La Belle Dame Sans Merci."
Curated OER
"A Noiseless Patient Spider" Questions
In this "A Noiseless Patient Spider" instructional activity, students analyze and discuss the imagery in Walt Whitman's poem. Students discuss the Whitman's comparison of his life to a spider.