Period 3: Friday, January 30, 2009

Objectives:
After this lesson, students will be able to:
1. read and understand the surface meaning of a poem.
2. discuss literary devices in poetry.
3. make personal connections to poetry.

ALL OF TODAY'S WORK WILL BE TURNED IN FOR A GRADE OF 40 POINTS!

Agenda:
1. Warm-up: Students will answer the following questions: Recall a time in your life where you felt like you didn’t fit in. Describe the situation. Why did you feel alienated? Did you attempt to fit in? What was the outcome? 4-5 sentences

2. Senior projects are DUE! Please turn in ASAP!

3. Weekly papers are due today! 50 points, one page long. Topic: Tell me about your space. We will share for EC points.

4. Students will read "Cross" by Langston Hughes and then answer the following questions. We will discuss their answers as time permits.

Cross
My old man's a white old man
And my old mother's black.
If ever I cursed my white old man
I take my curses back.

If ever I cursed my black old mother
And wished she were in hell,
I'm sorry for that evil wish
And now I wish her well.

My old man died in a fine big house.
My ma died in a shack.
I wonder were I'm going to die,
Being neither white nor black?

Langston Hughes

Questions to answer:
1. Evaluate the relationship that Hughes has with his parents. How does he feel about his father? How does he feel about his mother? Is their family functional or dysfunctional? Justify your choice. 4 sentences
2. Can you relate to the conflict in this poem? Have you ever felt so angry at your parents that you cursed them? What was the reason? Did you regret feeling that way? Did you apologize?
4 sentences
3. Why do you think Hughes’ parents died apart? 1 sentence
4. You are Langston Hughes in 2009. Write a poem or short paragraph about what it feels like to live as a mixed race person in today’s society. 12 line poem or 7 sentence paragraph

Homework: If you are done your senior project, there is no homework for this weekend.