WARMUP:  “I didn’t have time to write a short letter so I wrote a long one instead.” –Mark Twain.

What do you think Twain meant by this?

LEARNING TARGETS:  by the end of the lesson you should be able to

1. Provide reasons how/why writers choose very specific and intentional words.
2. Be able to discuss a favorite song as poetry–paying specific attention to word choice.

 

ACTIVITIES:

Select a song that has meaning to you (it must be school appropriate).  Answer these questions about the poem:  (You will share your work informally with small groups and the class).

1. What do you think the song is about?
2. Why did you choose it?  What gives it meaning to you?
3. What are examples of specific word choices the writer used to give the song/poem more meaning.

MAKE A POSTER FOR YOUR SONG–use the literary terms posters on the cupboards as an example/model.

1. Include the title of the song and artist at the top.
2. Include your answers to the questions above and a passage that best illustrates why you chose the song.
3. Include any artwork you wish to include (these are going up on the walls!)