Lesson Plan
National Park Service

The Poet's Toolbox

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
If you need a lesson for your poetry unit, use two poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ("Rain in Summer" and "The Slave in the Dismal Swamp") and a resource on Elements of Poetry. The lesson plan guides you through activities...
Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

Responding to Emily Dickinson: Poetic Analysis

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Learners explore Emily Dickinson's poem "Safe in Their Alabaster Chambers." In this Dickinson poem lesson plan, students analyze the poem as proof of Dickinson' awareness of her reader. Learners analyze her style and identify her...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Upon the Burning of Our House

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders read the poem "Upon the Burning of Our House" and complete analysis activities. In this poetry analysis lesson, 10th graders read the poem and create original scenes summarizing the stanza.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analyzing Poetry with TPCASTT

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers read a poem and complete a TPCASTT chart. They make a prediction about the title (T) , paraphrase each line (P), identify poetic devices and nuances (C-connotation), explore mood and tone (A-attitude), point out shifts...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Raven

For Teachers 6th - 9th
After a close reading of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" individuals copy the rhythm and rhyme scheme and rewrite the final stanzas of the poem.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Rock to Teach Literary Devices: Jimi Hendrix “The Wind Cries Mary”

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore literary elements through music. In this figurative language lesson, students examine imagery and personification in "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Enhancing Poetry with American Memories

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore poetry using American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project. They compose their own unque "found poetry" based on the stories found in the collection.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In the Midst of Hardship

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine poetry and natural disasters through this interactive lesson plan. In this poetry analysis lesson plan students read poetry, research natural disasters, and write descriptions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Superb Sonnets

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and compare the characteristics of both Italian and English sonnets. They read examples of each, then write an original sonnet in either the Italian or English style.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ESL Poetry Unit

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Young scholars complete a twelve instructional activity unit on poetry. They read and respond to different forms of poetry, write a bio poem, complete an online WebQuest, and in small groups present lessons to the class on various types...