Lesson Plan : "This is a Photograph of Me" Margaret Atwood
Date: [Date of Lesson]
Grade: [Appropriate Grade Level]
Subject: English Literature
1. Student Characteristics and Prior Knowledge
Student Characteristics:
Characteristics: Mixed-ability classroom with diverse learning styles (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic). Some students may have limited exposure to abstract poetry or literary analysis.
Accommodations:
Visual aids: Provide printed copies of the poem and visual diagrams.
Auditory learners: Use audio recordings of the poem.
ELL (English Language Learners): Simplify complex vocabulary and use glossaries.
Special needs: Break tasks into manageable steps and allow additional time for completion.
Prior Knowledge:
Students should have basic knowledge of:
Poetry structure and figurative language (e.g., metaphor, imagery, symbolism).
Reading comprehension strategies, such as identifying the main idea and key details.
Historical context of Canadian literature and feminism (optional but beneficial).
2. Statement of Standards
Standard: Students will analyze how an author’s choices regarding structure, tone, and meaning contribute to the overall theme and purpose of a text (aligned with Common Core ELA-Literacy Standards: RL.9-10.4, RL.9-10.6).
Language Standards: Develop and use precise language for discussing and analyzing poetry (ELA-Literacy: L.9-10.1, L.9-10.5).
3. Content Focus
Concepts:
Understanding poetry as a layered medium of expression.
Exploration of tone, ambiguity, and societal commentary in Atwood's work.
Key Vocabulary:
Autobiographical, feminism, ambiguity, tone, metaphor, symbolism.
Linguistic Features:
Poetic devices (e.g., enjambment, juxtaposition).
Sentence structure for written analysis: Claim → Evidence → Explanation.
4. Essential Question, Lesson Objectives, and Assessments
Essential Question:
How does Margaret Atwood use imagery and tone to explore identity and perception in "This is a Photograph of Me"?
Lesson Objectives:
Content Objective: Students will interpret and analyze the themes and tone of the poem.
Language Objective: Students will articulate their analysis in clear, evidence-based written responses.
Assessment Tools:
Assessment Tool How to Measure Progress
Formative Assessment: Monitor group discussions for understanding of tone/theme.
Summative Assessment: Collect written analysis with rubric-based grading.
5. Resources and Materials
Copies of "This is a Photograph of Me" (printed and digital).
- Projector or whiteboard for annotations.
- Audio recording of the poem.
- Visual aids: Venn diagram for comparison of imagery and tone.
- Rubric for written analysis.
6. Instructional Strategies and Learning Tasks
Activating Strategies:
- Hook: Show a blurred or abstract photograph. Ask students, “What do you notice first? How does perspective change what you see?”
- Review: Briefly discuss the importance of tone and imagery in poetry.
- Objective Overview: Explain that students will explore how Atwood uses poetic devices to examine identity and perception.
Teaching Strategies:
Introduction (10 minutes):
- Read the poem aloud (audio option for reinforcement).
- Highlight the structure: free verse with an ambiguous narrative.
- Discuss initial impressions: What emotions or images does the poem evoke?
Content Presentation (15 minutes):
- Analyze the poem line-by-line, identifying key imagery (e.g., water, reflection).
- Discuss Atwood's tone: detached yet haunting.
- Introduce themes of feminism and societal erasure of identity.
Guided Practice (15 minutes):
- Divide students into small groups.
- Each group examines one section of the poem, focusing on tone and imagery.
- Groups present findings, with teacher providing clarifications.
Independent Practice (20 minutes):
- Students write a short analysis of how tone and imagery connect to the theme.
- Summarizing Strategies (Closure):
- Recap the essential question: “How does Atwood use imagery and tone to explore identity?”
- Students share their key takeaways.
Assign homework: Compare this poem to another work by Atwood or a similar theme in another text.
This lesson plan ensures a balanced focus on content, language, and critical thinking, accommodating diverse learners while meeting academic standards.
