Imagine what life might be like in a different galaxy. That's the challenge young scientists take on in a warm-up activity designed to prepare them for a close reading of Ruth Stone's poem "In the Next Galaxy." After class members share and compare their vision to the speaker of the poem's vision, individuals craft and illustrate a paragraph or poem that describes their imagined galaxy.

Concepts

the milky way galaxy, poetry, poetry analysis, poets, close reading, inferences, making inferences, extraterrestrial life, the hubble telescope

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Instructional Ideas

• To learn about the pedagogy that underpins the approach in the "Teach This Poem" series, instructors should read the article linked in the Included Materials section below
• Co-teach the lesson with a member of the science department
• Click here to find Images of wrap-around verandas
• Post pupils' writing and conduct a gallery walk

Classroom Considerations

• Part of the Academy of American Poets "Teach This Poem" series

Pros

• The resource includes discussion questions and step-by-step directions

Cons

• None