Jennifer Collins
Pre-service teacher, Miami University
Student teaching: Edgewood High School
Fall 2010
Albertin, Walter. Frost, poet who is 85 years old today.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
LC-USZ62-120741
During President Kennedy’s inauguration, Robert Frost was asked to give presentation.
He prepared a poem entitled “Dedication” but during the event, the glare of the sun made it impossible for him to read it. He therefore began reciting his poem, “The Gift
Outright” from memory. This lesson compares and contrasts these two poems while illuminating the importance of poetry to American culture.
Overview / Materials /
LOC Resources /
Standards / Procedures /
Evaluation /
Rubric /
Handouts /
Extension
Objectives
Recommended time frame
Grade level
Curriculum fit
Materials
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Students will:
 Read and analyze “Dedication”
 Read and analyze “The Gift Outright”
 Watch video footage of Frost’s reading at
Kennedy’s inauguration

Discuss the themes of these two poems

Write a compare and contrast essay
3 days
11 or 12
Language Arts
 Digital copy of “Dedication” http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/ampage?collId=mcc&fileName=088/page.db&re cNum=0
 Digital copy of “The Gift Outright” http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/vc005
075.jpg
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University


Essay prompt

Rubric

Poem Analysis worksheet
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English Language Arts
1.
Reading Processes: Concepts of Print,
Comprehension Strategies and Self-Monitoring
Strategies a.
Apply reading comprehension strategies to understand grade appropriate texts b.
Demonstrate comprehension of print and electronic text by responding to questions
(e.g., literal, inferential, evaluative and synthesizing) c.
Use appropriate self-monitoring strategies for comprehension
2.
Writing Applications b. Write responses to literature that provide an interpretation, recognize ambiguities, nuances and complexities and that understand the author’s use of stylistic devices and effects created.
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Day One:

Quickwrite: If you could speak at the next
Presidential inauguration on behalf of your country, what would you say? What messages should an inaugural speaker give to the new President and to the country?

Discuss responses to the Quickwrite
 Introduce Robert Frost’s poetry reading at John F.
Kennedy’s inauguration

Show video clip of his reading: http://www.hulu.com/watch/5263/nbc-news-timecapsule-the-kennedy-inauguration-january-20-
1961?c=2198
Day Two
 Read “Dedication” aloud to the class while displaying the poem with the projector

Pass out the analysis worksheet and as a class go through the questions, modeling how to analyze
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University

poetry. Tell the students that tomorrow, they will be asked to do the same thing without help.
Day Three
 Read “The Gift Outright” aloud to the class while displaying the poem with the projector

Students break into groups of 3 or 4 to analyze the poem using the worksheet

Reconvene as a class to discuss their analysis

Give students essay prompt and explain assignment and expectations.
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
Informal evaluation of comprehension through the analysis worksheets

Formal evaluation through the compare contrast essay
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
Students write their own poem in either the style of
“Dedication”, “The Gift Outright” or a combination of the two

Students examine other inaugural poetry for similar themes and ideas
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University

Image
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Description
This is the reading text of a poem Robert
Frost (1874-1963) composed for delivery at the inauguration of
President John F.
Kennedy (1917-1963) on 20 January 1961.
Citation
Library of Congress,
Manuscript Division,
A77
URL http://memory.loc.gov
/cgibin/ampage?collId=m cc&fileName=088/pa ge.db&recNum=0
Robert Frost’s “The
Gift Outright” http://www.loc.gov/ex hibits/treasures/image s/vc005075.jpg
Frost, Robert. "The
Gift Outright" From the Poetry of Robert
Frost, copyright 1970 by Lesley Frost
Ballantine, copyright
1969 by Henry Holt and Company, Inc.
Reprinted by permission of Henry
Holt and Company,
Inc. Manuscript
Division, Library of
Congress
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University

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Teacher Name: Ms. Collins
Student Name: ________________________________________
CATEGORY
Focus on Topic
(Content)
Word Choice
Transitions
(Organization)
4
There is one clear, wellfocused topic.
Main idea stands out and is supported by detailed information.
Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, and the choice and placement of the words seems accurate, natural and not forced.
3
Main idea is clear but the supporting information is general.
2
Main idea is somewhat clear but there is a need for more supporting information.
Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, but occasionally the words are used inaccurately or seem overdone.
Writer uses words that communicate clearly, but the writing lacks variety, punch or flair.
A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected.
Transitions clearly show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety.
Some transitions work well; but connections between other ideas are fuzzy.
1
The main idea is not clear. There is a seemingly random collection of information.
Writer uses a limited vocabulary that does not communicate strongly or capture the reader's interest.
Jargon or cliches may be present and detract from the meaning.
The transitions between ideas are unclear or nonexistant.
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University

Accuracy of Facts
(Content)
Grammar &
Spelling
(Conventions)
All supportive facts are reported accurately.
Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
Almost all supportive facts are reported accurately.
Most supportive facts are reported accurately.
Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
NO facts are reported OR most are inaccurately reported.
Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
Date Created: Oct 31, 2010 05:04 pm (UTC)
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University

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Compare Contrast Essay:
Now that we have looked at both “Dedication” and “The Gift Outright”, write a
150-200 word essay in which you discuss the similarities and differences between the two. Make sure you use specific examples rather than general ideas. Use quotes to help support you ideas. Which of the two poems do you think makes a better inauguration poem and why?
Teaching with Primary Sources
Illinois State University

Name_____________________________
Title of Poem: ______________________________________________________________________
Author: ___________________________________________________________________________
1.
What is the dramatic situation of the poem? (What is taking place literally?)
2.
Who is the audience of the poem?
3.
What is a possible theme of the poem?
4.
Write one line from the poem that you think tells the theme of the poem.
5.
How does the poet use language? Is it elevated or fancier language? Is it more vernacular, colloquial, or casual? Does the poet use a particular dialect or accent?
6.
What do you think is the most important line of the poem? Why do you think so?

7.
What images does the poet use to make his or her point?
8.
What is the tone (mood) of the poem at the beginning, at the end, and overall?