Day:  13                          Teacher:  Mr. Ealy

Subject:  Composition   Grade:  11   QCC(s) 27, 36, 39, 55

General Objective:  Students will:

·        Read a wide range of print and nonprint texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment.

·        Read a wide range of literature from many periods in many genres to build an understanding of the many dimensions of human experience.

·        Develop an understanding of and respect for diversity in language use, patterns, and dialects across cultures, ethnic group, geographic regions, and social roles.

·        Participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities.

Introduction:  Yesterday we looked at a short story and responded to it and today we will look at Langston Hughes’ poem “I too sing America” which is a response to Walt Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing.”      

Specific Objectives:  Students will:

·        Read, discuss and analyze world literature representing diversity.

·        Interpret literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases.

·        Make comparisons, predictions, generalizations, and draw conclusions.

·        Attribute information and quotations to their sources.

Procedures:  The teacher will:

1.     Allow Students to read the poetry and respond to the poetry.

2.     Lead discussion on if the poems are relevant to our convergence of cultures unit.

3.     Present MLA lesson on citing works within the body of the paper.

Closing:  We will continue tomorrow with an overall last look at the MLA format and I will answer any questions that you have.  You will also be given time to work on your papers which will be due in two days.

Evaluation:  Students participation will be observed and their responses to the poetry will be given full credit if it is handed in.

Materials:  Transparency, overhead projector, poetry handouts, MLA handbooks.

Assignments:  Paper is due Friday as well as the oral presentation which will be your in class grade for that same day.

Extender/Back-Up Activities:  In class time to work on papers, answer MLA questions and questions on papers.

Provisions For Individual Differences:  Allow students who have problems seeing the board to adjust seating.

Teacher Notes:  Remind the students of the differences between blacks and whites at the time Walt Whitman wrote his poem and the time in which Langston Hughes wrote his poem.  Ask if things were better or worse for blacks during this time.  Discuss the many books and plays that Langston Hughes published.  Why does Hughes even respond to the Whitman poem?  What comes to mind when you think of singing in the Hughes poem?  Possibly Negro spirituals.  Do these same images come to mind when you think of Whitman’s poem?  Is it ordinary for a black man to be reading Whitman in 1925?  What was the education rate for blacks during this time?  Do the poems illustrate a convergence of cultures?  Could Hughes be stating that blacks are a part of the American culture and in the future, they will be more of a part?  Does this poem speak to the treatment of other minorities in the present?  Remind theme that I do not want theme to use outside sources other than the works.  I want them to cite the works as they quote from them.  Be sure I leave the examples of the cited sources up long enough so students can copy the examples.  Be sure to follow up the examples given by showing them in the handbook were similar examples can be found.    

Supplementary Materials:  Hand out with poetry.