The poet's voice: Langston Hughes and you
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=405
A lesson plan for grades 6–8 English Language Arts
Some poets achieve popular acclaim only when they express clear and widely shared emotions with a forceful, distinctive, and memorable voice. But what is meant by voice in poetry, and what qualities have made the voice of Langston Hughes a favorite for so many people?
This lesson plan from EDSITEment introduces students to a “poet’s voice.” Students will develop a general definition of voice in poetry, and analyze and appreciate the poetic voice of Langston Hughes in particular. Included are writing and discussion activities, in which students either write a poem expressing their own voice (as developed in a journal), or write about one of the qualities of Langston Hughes’s poetic voice (as explored in class discussion).
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 6
- Goal 1: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives drawn from personal or related experience.
- Objective 1.02: Explore expressive materials that are read, heard, and viewed by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard, and/or viewed.
- analyzing the characteristics of expressive works.
- determining the effect of literary devices and/or strategies on the reader/viewer/listener.
- making connections between works, self and related topics.
- comparing and/or contrasting information.
- drawing inferences and/or conclusions.
- determining the main idea and/or significance of events.
- generating a learning log or journal.
- creating an artistic interpretation that connects self to the work.
- discussing books/media formally and informally.
- Objective 1.02: Explore expressive materials that are read, heard, and viewed by:
- Goal 4: The learner will use critical thinking skills and create criteria to evaluate print and non-print materials.
- Objective 4.01: Determine the purpose of the author or creator by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and/or viewed.
- exploring any bias, apparent or hidden messages, emotional factors, or propaganda techniques.
- identifying and exploring the underlying assumptions of the author/creator.
- analyzing the effects of the author's craft on the reader/viewer/listener.
- Objective 4.02: Analyze the communication and develop (with teacher assistance) and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate the quality of the communication by:
- using knowledge of language structure and literary or media techniques.
- drawing conclusions based on evidence, reasons, or relevant information.
- considering the implications, consequences, or impact of those conclusions.
- Objective 4.01: Determine the purpose of the author or creator by:
- Goal 5: The learner will respond to various literary genres using interpretive and evaluative processes.
- Objective 5.01: Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive literacy program by:
- using effective reading strategies to match type of text.
- reading self-selected literature and other materials of individual interest.
- reading literature and other materials selected by the teacher.
- discussing literature in teacher-student conferences and small group discussions.
- taking an active role in whole class seminars.
- discussing and analyzing the effects on texts of such literary devices as figurative language, dialogue, flashback and sarcasm.
- interpreting text by explaining elements such as plot, theme, point of view, characterization, mood, and style.
- investigating examples of distortion and stereotypes.
- recognizing underlying messages in order to identify recurring theme(s) within and across works.
- extending understanding by creating products for different purposes, different audiences and within various contexts.
- exploring relationships between and among characters, ideas, concepts and/or experiences.
- Objective 5.01: Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive literacy program by:
Grade 7
- Goal 1: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives in response to personal, social, cultural, and historical issues.
- Objective 1.02: Explore expressive materials that are read, heard, and viewed by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and/or viewed.
- summarizing the characteristics of expressive works.
- determining the importance of literary effects on the reader/viewer/listener.
- making connections between works, self and related topics.
- comparing and/or contrasting information.
- drawing inferences and/or conclusions.
- determining the main idea and/or significance of events.
- generating a learning log or journal.
- maintaining an annotated list of works read/viewed.
- creating an artistic interpretation that connects self and/or society to the selection.
- constructing and presenting book/media reviews.
- Objective 1.02: Explore expressive materials that are read, heard, and viewed by:
- Goal 4: The learner will refine critical thinking skills and create criteria to evaluate text and multimedia.
- Objective 4.01: Analyze the purpose of the author or creator by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and/or viewed.
- examining any bias, apparent or hidden messages, emotional factors, or propaganda techniques.
- exploring and evaluating the underlying assumptions of the author/creator.
- understanding the effect of the author's craft on the reader/viewer/listener.
- Objective 4.02: Develop (with assistance) and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate the quality of the communication by:
- using knowledge of language structure and literary or media techniques.
- drawing conclusions based on evidence, reasons, or relevant information.
- considering the implications, consequences, or impact of those conclusions.
- Objective 4.01: Analyze the purpose of the author or creator by:
- Goal 5: The learner will respond to various literary genres using interpretive and evaluative processes.
- Objective 5.01: Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive reading program by:
- using effective reading strategies to match type of text.
- reading self-selected literature and other materials of individual interest.
- reading literature and other materials selected by the teacher.
- assuming an active role in teacher-student conferences.
- engaging in small group discussions.
- taking an active role in whole class seminars.
- analyzing the effects on texts of such literary devices as figuarative language, dialogue, flashback, allusion, and irony.
- analyzing the effects of such elements as plot, theme, point of view, characterization, mood, and style.
- analyzing themes and central ideas in literature and other texts in relation to personal issues/experiences.
- extending understanding by creating products for different purposes, different audiences and within various contexts.
- analyzing the connections of relationships between and among characters, ideas, concepts, and/or experiences.
- Objective 5.01: Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive reading program by:
Grade 8
- Goal 1: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives through analysis of personal, social, cultural, and historical issues.
- Objective 1.02: Analyze expressive materials that are read, heard, and viewed by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard, and/or viewed.
- reviewing the characteristics of expressive works.
- determining the importance of literary effects on the reader/viewer/listener.
- making connections between works, self and related topics.
- drawing inferences.
- generating a learning log or journal.
- maintaining an annotated list of works that are read or viewed, including personal reactions.
- taking an active role in and/or leading formal/informal book/media talks.
- Objective 1.02: Analyze expressive materials that are read, heard, and viewed by:
- Goal 4: The learner will continue to refine critical thinking skills and create criteria to evaluate print and non-print materials.
- Objective 4.01: Analyze the purpose of the author or creator and the impact of that purpose by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard, and/or viewed.
- evaluating any bias, apparent or hidden messages, emotional factors, and/or propaganda techniques.
- evaluating the underlying assumptions of the author/creator.
- evaluate the effects of the author's craft on the reader/viewer/listener.
- Objective 4.02: Analyze and develop (with limited assistance) and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate the quality of the communication by:
- using knowledge of language structure and literary or media techniques.
- drawing conclusions based on evidence, reasons, or relevant information.
- considering the implications, consequences, or impact of those conclusions.
- Objective 4.01: Analyze the purpose of the author or creator and the impact of that purpose by:
- Goal 5: The learner will respond to various literary genres using interpretive and evaluative processes.
- Objective 5.01: Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive literacy program by:
- using effective reading strategies to match type of text.
- reading self-selected literature and other materials of interest to the individual.
- reading literature and other materials selected by the teacher.
- assuming a leadership role in student-teacher reading conferences.
- leading small group discussions.
- taking an active role in whole class seminars.
- analyzing the effects of elements such as plot, theme, charaterization, style, mood, and tone.
- discussing the effects of such literary devices as figurative language, dialogue, flashback, allusion, irony, and symbolism.
- analyzing and evaluating themes and central ideas in literature and other texts in relation to personal and societal issues.
- extending understanding by creating products for different purposes, different audiences, and within various contexts.
- analyzing and evaluating the relationships between and among characters, ideas, concepts, and/or experiences.
- Objective 5.01: Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive literacy program by:


