Pupils take part in a close reading of the poem, If by Rudyard Kipling, in which they delve deep into its meaning and identify its rules to live by. As the grand discussion progresses, learners then relate the poem's rules with those found in the story Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis.

Concepts

christopher paul curtis, responding to literature, responding to reading, reading, poetry, poetry analysis, stanzas, paraphrasing, interpretation, close reading

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• For those who did not read the assigned chapters, send them to a quiet area with supervision to finish reading, then complete the note-taking guide for homework 
• Create a class blog where learners can add and reply to one another's thoughts, feelings, and questions about both texts
• Invite class members to think of their personal life's rules and explain why and how they follow them

Classroom Considerations

• Copies are required
• The fifth in a series of 17 lesson plans designed to accompany the novel Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
• To locate required materials from past lessons, brows Included Materials 

Pros

• Teaching notes are provided to explain activities meet the needs of all learners
• Cooperative learning strategies are incorporated throughout the lesson
• The plan is written clearly and in detail 

Cons

• None

Common Core

RL.6.5 RL.6.9 L.6.5.a