March 17, 2016 BLOCK 1

Yesterday you spent some time working to visualize a line of a poem to help you understand it with Billy Collins’ “Introduction to Poetry.” Next, you are going to pick one partner with whom to work—go ahead and move. Next, you are going to work to tell the “story” of the next poem, Walt Whitman’s “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer.” As you look at the slides, tell the story/plot slide by slide. This graphic version of the poem will help you understand the basics before we move to analysis.

1. 2. 3. 4.

5, 6, 7.

8, 9, 10

11, 12, 13, 14

Check in with another partnership and compare your story. Next, let’s look at the images again with the corresponding lines of the actual poem.

1. 2. 3. 4.

5, 6, 7.

8, 9, 10.

In a moment you will receive a copy of the actual poem In a moment you will receive a copy of the actual poem. First, let’s look at an “attack strategy” for reading poetry. Much like SOAPSTone gave you direction for approaching nonfiction, SPESMTTT helps you focus as you read poetry. Please copy this in your notes.

You will now be given a copy of “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer You will now be given a copy of “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer.” With your partner, work to analyze utilizing the SPESMTTT approach. It may be helpful to have your mood/tone bookmark to help you. After about 15 minutes, we will go over answers.

SPEAKER: Walt Whitman (the poet isn’t always the speaker, but he/she can be) A student PARAPRHASE: A student in class grows bored, leaves, heads outside, and finds peace/solace. ELEMENTS Sound imagery: lecturing, applause Sight imagery: charts, diagrams, stars Touch/feel imagery: moist air SYMBOLS: none

MOOD Section 1: frustrated, boring, unengaging Section 2: peaceful, placid, calm, reassuring TONE: Section 1: frustrated, overwhelmed Section 2: appreciative, relaxed THEMATIC IDEAS Learning, education THEME STATEMENTS It is better to learn by doing/experience than to sit in a room and listen to a lecture.

Now that you have done analysis together, you are going to return to your seats and try some poetry analysis individually. The teacher will pass out a copy of another Whitman poem entitled “I Hear America Singing.” As a preview, look at the title and the first line…what indicates the mood of the entire poem? How do you now? Try, then we’ll look at some ideas. I Hear America Singing By Walt Whitman (1819-1892) I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,

So, the mood is joyful, cheerful, celebratory. Singing is generally seen as an enjoyable activity, done for fun or celebration or honor. A carol is a song, one we associate with Christmas, a time of joy and celebration. So, the mood is joyful, cheerful, celebratory. Now go ahead and complete the organizer on your own-you will need about 15 minutes. I Hear America Singing By Walt Whitman (1819-1892) I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,

After about 15 minutes, check in with the people around you. Then we’ll go over answers.

SPEAKER Walt Whitman An American citizen A worker PARAPHRASE Whitman notes the different workers in America and is in awe of them, their “songs,” their individuality that comes together to form America. ELEMENTS Cataloguing—Whitman lists the blue collar, working class jobs of American (not the professors or doctors or lawyers) I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown, The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the day--at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

Celebratory, cheerful, joyful TONE Proud, appreciative, patriotic ELEMENTS Metaphor: Whitman is writing about actually hearing people sing; by noting the different jobs and the different songs of each worker, he is observing the individuality/diversity that defines America. SYMBOL: none MOOD Celebratory, cheerful, joyful TONE Proud, appreciative, patriotic I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown, The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the day--at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

Diversity, difference, harmony, unity THEMATIC IDEAS Diversity, difference, harmony, unity THEME STATEMENT Despite all the diversity/difference/ individuality in America, there still exists a kind of unity/harmony. I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown, The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the day--at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

Thanks for your patience and flexibility—I have been so sick, and I realize that this week wasn’t ideal for your learning. I have a little something up my sleeve to help you on your test tomorrow, okay? Any left over time can be spent on independent reading or other work for a class.