Week 1

Figurative language analysis, introduction to analysis and close reading of poetry

Week 2

Author’s purpose, theme, paired poetry passages, annotations, text evidence

Week 3

Analysis of figurative language and poetry, theme, devices, project

Week 4

It’s the end of the unit, so we begin with two full days’ worth of figurative language and poetry activities followed by review lessons (a few different options here) and two versions of a unit test. This is a full week! Really, you could even spread this week out into nearly two weeks (if you need to) or you could omit the first two days’ worth of activities and move right into the review and test materials if you’re crunched for time.

Week 1

Each week looks at a particular theme within the poems, so this week’s focus is on “hopes and dreams” in poetry! We’ll also review figurative language, poetic elements, and strategies for analysis.

Week 2

This week’s poetry thematic focus is on “choices and decisions." After reviewing some basics last week with figurative language and themes, we’re moving into the TPCASTT strategy of analysis this week. Not familiar with TP-CASTT? No worries. You can learn all about it right along with your students! No background prep work needed!

Week 3

This week’s poetry theme focus is on overcoming “challenges and setbacks.” Students will engage in these highly-accessible poems, strengthening their close-reading and analytical skills by using TP-CASTT strategies. Reading, writing, high-level questioning, and critical thinking are all embedded throughout the unit.

Week 4

This week’s focus is on “types of love” in poetry! Students will look at relationships between parents and children, etc. and use DIDLS strategies throughout the week to focus their thinking and questioning around. DIDLS = Diction, Imagery, Details, Language, Syntax. This is the end of the poetry unit. If you need or want more, feel free to reach into the 8th grade poetry unit.

Week 1

We’re focusing on the structure and format of the lovely “ode” poem! Students will read and write odes along with reviewing figurative language and other elements specific to the study of poetry!

Week 2

We’re focusing on the structure and format of the lovely “sonnet” poem! Students will read sonnets and even write one! Plus, we’ll review figurative language and other elements specific to the study of poetry! … And don’t worry! We’re not getting super-technical with the sonnets. We’ll leave that complicated stuff for the high school teachers

Week 3

Students will read classic poems about life, death, and changing seasons (metaphorical). These kinds of poems are accessible even for struggling learners with the TP-CASTT poetry analysis system as well as the hands-on, tangible strategies embedded throughout the week in small, easy-to-learn ways. (TP-CASTT = Title, Paraphrase, Connotation, Attitude, Shift, Title (again) and Theme).

Week 4

Students will focus their poetry analysis on ballads. Close reading and analyzing techniques are embedded throughout the week along with read-alouds, relevant videos, and mini-lessons using text evidence and figurative language devices to make sense of poetry. Students will also use the DIDLS strategy to analyze poetry this week. DIDLS: Diction, Imagery, Details, Language, and Syntax