English 9 Poetry Unit
You will complete activities from each level (A, B and C) to earn a total of 110 points.
Level C activities will be due 3/2, Level B activities will be due 3/9 and Level A activity
will be due 3/11. No exceptions. If you are absent, you should still know what is due
that day and get it turned in once you return. There are also anchor activities to be
completed each class period. These activities are worth a total of 43 points. This brings
the point total for the poetry unit to 153. Yes, that is a lot. You will need to make
frequent appearances in ELT to keep up!
Level C – complete at least two for a total of at least 25 points.
 Terms (found in literature book): climax, anticlimax, diction (humorous), alliteration,
narrative poem, dramatic poem, lyric poem, imagery, figurative language, theme,
symbol, poetic license, meter.
 Define each term listed above. 10 points.
 Choose six of the above terms and find examples of each in the poems in your
literature book. List the term, quote the example (with page number) and include the
title of the poem. 10 points.
 Write a stanza of four sentences entirely in iambic pentameter, mark the metric feet.
15 points
 Read one of the following poems out of your literature book and answer all
accompanying questions. See me if you are unsure of which questions to answer.
Complete sentences. 15 points.
o “Macavity: The Mystery Cat”
o “The Raven”
o “The Listeners”
o “Beware: Do Not Read This Poem”
o “To Be of Use”
o “Slam, Dunk and Hook”
o “Dream Deferred” and “Dreams”
o “Problems with Hurricanes”
o “Summer”
 Memorize and recite for the class one of the following poems. 10 points.
o “The Road Not Taken”
o “Caged Bird”
o “Hope is the thing with feathers”
o “Jabberwocky”
Level B – complete two for a total of 50 points.
 Write a biography of at least 300 words on a poet of your choice. Must be in your
own words or will be returned for no credit. See the list of poems in Level C for ideas
on poets (Poe, Carroll, Frost, etc). Use the library or a credible web site for research.
You may not write about Langston Hughes in light of our earlier project. 25 points.
 Create a PowerPoint slide show that explains haiku, sonnet and free verse as poetic
forms. Use definitions and examples taken from poems to explain the meaning of
these terms. Experiment with using animation to highlight the different parts of a line
of poetry. 25 points. Present to the class for an additional 10 points.
 Create a PowerPoint slide show which explains iambic pentameter, including iamb,
meter, feet and rhyme scheme. Use examples from Shakespeare or Petrarch.
Experiment with using animation to highlight the different parts of a line of poetry. 25
points. Present to the class for an additional 10 points.
 Find ONE other poem (not in our text book) by Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson,
Walt Whitman or William Shakespeare. Analyze the poem. Show where the poet is
using techniques such as rhyme scheme, alliteration, simile, metaphor, meter etc. You
may copy the poem from the web, but be sure to cite your source properly. Highlight
or use Word or Inspiration to diagram where the author uses techniques and literary
terms. See me if you have another poet in mind. 25 points
Level A – complete one activity for a total of 35 points.
 Create a lesson plan and teach the class. Pick one of the poems from Level C for
your material. Lesson plan must include a discussion of figurative language or poetic
device used in the poem, your take on what the poem means and background on the
poet. Remember to read the poem before you start teaching! Lesson plan must be
typed out and turned in before you can teach the class. 35 points.
 Compare and contrast any of the following poems in an essay not to exceed 350
words. Include a discussion on literary techniques used, topic and themes. 35 points.
o “Sympathy” & “Caged Bird”
o “Combing” & “Women”
o “The Eagle” & “Hope is the thing with feathers”
o For a challenge, see me for a pair of sonnets.
 Study Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18. Identify what is being compared and which devices
are used. Then write your own sonnet comparing one thing to another. Use similar
devices (for example, is Shakespeare uses metaphor, try that or simile for your
sonnet). Turn in your notes over Sonnet 18 along with your original sonnet. See me
for a copy of the sonnet. 35 points.