blog : October 2014

Freebee: Theme for English B

10/24/2014

freebee friday Have you ever introduced your students to Langston Hughes’ poem, “Theme For English B”? If not, consider it. It’s the best! (Especially for middle school and high school English teachers. I’ll ask all you science, math and early elementary teachers to indulge us this week.)

In the poem, a presumably white English teacher assigns a presumably black college student to write something “true and meaningful” about himself. The poem is that student’s response. In reading the poem we learn not just a few details of the student’s life, but also his reflections on the concepts of “truth” and “meaning” – and how they differ from person to person, You can’t read it without considering the daily toll of overt racial discrimination on the mid twentieth century student. There’s irony, sarcasm, and loads of imagery. Like I said, it’s the best.

Use this week’s free lesson as an introduction to reading and writing poetry, and guide your Grade 7–12 students toward these CCSS goals:

R.CCR.1 Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

R.CCR.4 Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

R.CCR.6 Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.

W.CCR.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

This “Your Theme for English II” lesson is yours for free. Tweak it, adapt it, and share it with your colleagues. (History/social studies teachers, if you use it in your classroom – maybe to address essential questions like “Is truth the same for everybody?” or “How do cultural influences shape our worldview?” – please let me know how it goes!) Because remember, we teachers are our own best resource.

Click here to view and download the Activity!
















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