Introductory Activity :

Divide the students into small groups of three to four. Give the students the instructions for completing the assignment. Ask each of them to read the poem aloud to each other. Ask each of them to emphasize different words in each oral reading. After they have completed this portion, have the students discuss with each other what they think the poem is describing- an idea, emotion, place, or person, etc. Also have each group answer the introductory questions either on the hand-out or on a separate sheet of paper.

Give these small groups approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete this part of the assignment.

Body :

After completing this first portion, have the students underline key words or phrases, circle words that fit what they think describe the idea, emotion, place, or person, and have them put questions marks by the words or phrases that they do not understand.

Have each group explain to the rest of the class how they determined their findings.

If students have questions about a word or phrase's meaning, ask the rest of the class to answer, if possible. If not, explain the specific passage's general meaning so that they will grasp it.


Allow 15 to 20 minutes for this part of the assignment.

Conclusion Activity :

After discussing the poem as a class, have each student use a pre-writing technique to brainstorm ideas as a basis to write a prose essay over the selected poem. Ask them to quote the key phrases from the poem as a part of their explanation of it. If they finish before the class period is over, have them begin their essays.

Give the class the rest of the class period to complete this portion of the assignment.

Evaluation Activity :

Collect their handwritten essays over the piece of poetry the following class period as a homework grade. After grading the handwritten essay, explain to them that they can use this class activity as a sample or model for a formal essay over another piece of poetry.