Name:
Period:
Date:
THEME
Section 1: Grammar Bytes!
Our first section today involves choosing the correct word choice. Grammar is an essential skill that all students need to
master. Therefore, we will be spending a few minutes of class working towards perfecting this skill. It is practice that we
can all use on a regular basis.
Directions: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate choices—its or it’s.
1. As strawberry ice cream dribbled down the cone and over his hand, Jerry complained, “__________ so hot out here that
my tongue can’t keep up!”
2. The frozen cappuccino sat forgotten on the table. __________ sweating cup formed a ring on the polished wood.
3. The cockroaches and ants are very happy since __________ been over a week since Tommy has washed dishes or taken
out the trash.
4. __________ obvious that Professor Grayson hates us. She wouldn’t keep assigning 150 pages of reading for every class
if she liked us!
5. Just as Jackie was completing the last question on the essay test, her pen ran out of ink; __________ ball point dug into
the paper but left no words.
6. When the realtor unlocked the door of the old house, Beverly and Bill gasped in disappointment, for __________ floor
undulated with warped wood.
7. Francisco decided against a golden retriever puppy as __________ thick coat of long fur would be a vacuuming
nightmare.
8. “__________ all over,” announced the lone race official as Veronica crossed the finish line five hours after the winning
runner.
9. We assume that our neighbor’s orange tomcat is off on a feline adventure. __________ been a week since we’ve found
paw prints on the hoods of our cars.
10. Malinda spooned yogurt into her mouth, savoring __________ cool, creamy blueberry flavor.
11. “Be careful when you close that notebook,” warned Michael. “__________ rings will snap right through your finger!”
12. “__________ time you found a summer job,” Mom declared as she pushed Sonny’s feet from the coffee table and
turned off the television.
13. __________ not too late for Ricardo to pass his chemistry class. He just needs to give his attention to Dr. Wilson
instead of flirting with Josephine, his pretty lab partner.
14. “__________ been seven years since I’ve seen you!” squealed Sophia when she spied Jerome thumping cantaloupes in
the produce section.
15. Clive held the comic book under a magnifying glass, studying __________ spine and corners. He looked for flaws that
would help him negotiate a better price.
Section 2: Understanding the Terminology
This is the definition section of our road map. This section consists of guided notes to help students identify and analyze
important terms for the unit. Your answers should be written in COMPLETE SENTENCES unless otherwise specified.
Theme is
“Sympathy”
By Paul Laurence Dunbar
I KNOW what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;
When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,
And the river flows like a stream of glass;
When the first bird sings and the first bud opens,
And the faint perfume from its chalice steals —
I know what the caged bird feels!
I know why the caged bird beats his wing
Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;
For he must fly back to his perch and cling
When he fain would be on the bough a-swing;
And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars
And they pulse again with a keener sting —
I know why he beats his wing!
I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore —
When he beats his bars and he would be free;
It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core,
But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings —
I know why the caged bird sings!
1. Write a brief summary of the poem.
2. The theme of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem, “Sympathy,” is
.
I know this because
Section 3: Around the Room
Today you will be participating in three different stations in order to analyze theme. Each station will have specific
directions and materials to use but you are responsible for writing your responses below. And guess what?! Your answers
still need to be written in COMPLETE SENTENCES!
STATION #1: Author’s Background
1. Write a brief summary of Edgar Allan Poe’s biography.
2. Consider the poem we read by Edgar Allan Poe (“The Raven”, “The Bells”). How might his personal background and
life experiences played a role in creating such poetry? What evidence have you seen of this influence in his poems?
3. Write a brief summary of Maya Angelou’s biography.
4. Consider the poems we’ve read by Maya Angelou (“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, “Still I Rise”). How might
her personal background and life experiences played a role in creating such poetry? What evidence have you seen of this
influence in her poems?
STATION #2: Theme – Angelou vs. Poe
1. Read the poem “Alone” by Maya Angelou. Write a brief summary of the poem.
2. Identify the theme of Angelou’s poem. Explain your response by using evidence from the text.
3. Read the poem “Alone” by Edgar Allan Poe. Write a brief summary of the poem.
4. Identify the theme of Poe’s poem. Explain your response by using evidence from the text.
STATION #3: Theme – Thomas vs. Shakur
1. Read the poem “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas. Write a brief summary of the poem.
2. Identify the theme of Thomas’ poem. Explain your response by using evidence from the text.
3. Read the poem “Me Against the World” by Tupac Shakur. Write a brief summary of the poem.
4. Identify the theme of Shakur’s poem. Explain your response by using evidence from the text.