Title: Historical and Present Day Importance of Poetry

 

Grade Level: 11th Grade

 

Long Range Objective: State standard 2.1D – identify simile, metaphor, personification, etc. in poetry. 

 

Set: The teacher will ask students about the last time they heard poetry through a public avenue.  Afterwards, the teacher will discuss the different places poetry can be heard (i.e. music).  The teacher will then give a short introduction on “Stop This Train” by John Mayer. 

 

Learning Objectives: (1) List three avenues where poetry is still prevalent today. (2) Analyze the importance of poetry in a song. (3) Explain how “Minstrel Man” by Langston Hughes connects with the society in the early 1900s. (4) Summarize John Mayer’s “Stop This Train.”

 

Instructional Procedures:  The teacher will initially pass out lyrics to John Mayer’s “Stop This Train.”  The lyrics, however, will only contain the first verse, chorus, second verse, and second chorus.  The students will then be broken into groups to discuss the meaning of the first half of the song.  After listening to the first half of the song the students will form educated opinions to share with the rest of the class on their interpretations of the first half of the song.  Afterwards, the students will receive a second handout with the entire list of lyrics and allowing the students to listen to the entire song.  Once again, the students will be required to come up with an educated opinion to their interpretation of the song.

 

Next, the teacher will discuss the importance of poetry in today’s society still but also the importance of poetry in the past.  The teacher will discuss Minstrelsy and racism in the 1900s.  The students will then read “Minstrel Man” by Langston Hughes, discuss, and prepare a short response the poem.

 

Guided Practice: Students will break into groups and write notes to be turned in on “Stop This Train” and “Minstrel Man.”  Also, a participation grade will be taken.

 

 

Check for Understanding:  A Question and Answer session will be held at the end of each section: Today in Poetry and the Past in Poetry.  Sample Questions:

(1)    How is poetry still relevant in today’s society?

(2)    When is the last time you heard poetry in a public venue?

(3)    Was poetry important in past societies?

(4)    Are you afraid of getting older?

 

Materials: CD player with a copy of John Mayer’s “Stop This Train.”  Handouts with lyrics.  Copy of “Minstrel Man.”

 

Closing:  The class will end with the questions of “Are you afraid of getting older?”