Lesson+5

Grade Level: 9 Unit: Poetry Lesson 5

Title of lesson: Caged Birds Singing

Description of lesson: The theme of this lesson is poetry from strained voices. We will be examining poems by minorities and people struggling with identity and oppression whether from external or internal forces. We will watch clips from Dead Poet Society, engage in reader's theater exercises, and enjoy the range of voices carrying the same theme.

Assignment type: Students will have to select three poems from different poets and/or time periods and/or genres, explain how the same theme appears in all poems, and construct their own poems with the same theme.

Lesson objectives (include 2 or 3):
 * Students will understand that poetic themes can be the same regardless of time period or writing style.
 * Students will be able to find their own unique poetic voices.
 * Students will understand how poetry can be used to conquer turmoil.

Time required to complete this lesson: 2 class periods.

Assignment (homework or in-class: this is how the learner will practice the learning that has just occurred): Students must craft, submit, and read aloud their personal poems and answer any five of the questions from the virtual field trip.

Technology used: Harlem Renaissance field trip Word document with hyperlinks

The technology used in this lesson changes the teaching / learning in this way: The field trip will serve as supplemental class material to give students the opportunity to examine one of the richest literary times in American history and explore the context of black writers in the 1920s and 30s. By going on the virtual field trip, students will be able to associate a writer's face with his/her work and both visualize and research through web reading actual historic locations from the Harlem Renaissance.

Resources/materials needed: