SIFTTing through Poetry A pre- Advanced Placement Strategy to actively read poetry

SIFTT Symbolism Imagery Figurative Language Tone Theme *Title

Symbolism Using your cellular device, define: what is a symbol? Something that represents or stands for something else, usually a larger concept (New Oxford American Dictionary) Think of examples: Heart Plus sign/ crossHandshake WomanManDollar Sign

Symbols When you actively read a poem: Evaluate the text for possible symbols What objects, inanimate or animate, represent larger concepts Evaluate “Childhood” for symbols. Jot down at least three on your worksheet. Example: “Freckle faced girl”= innocent and individual

Imagery When you are telling a story, how do you get your listener to feel like they were there? Do you use things that relate to the five senses? Sight Touch/ Feel Hearing Taste Smell Example word for sight: Wrinkly

Imagery How does the author create images using the five senses? What feelings do the images evoke in you? Find 3 examples in “Childhood”, what sense do they appeal to? What images are conveyed? Example: “Spit Balls hovered over lunchroom table”= sight; kids playing in lunchroom.

Figurative Language Using your cellular device, look up what figurative language means. Speech or writing that departs from literal meaning in order to convey a special meaning or effect. (Adapted from Dictionary.com) What are some examples of figurative language?

Figurative language How are different figurative language devices employed in the poem? Find 3 examples in the text. Write the type, and then explain the literal and figurative meanings. Example: “Believe the wheels of the tricycle are still spinning in your stomachs.”= metaphor; wheels of a tricycle spinning inside your stomach; nervousness.

Tone Using your cellular device, look up what tone means. An author’s attitude towards a subject What are some words you can use to describe tone? Use the work sheet and look up one word from positive, negative, irony, fear and neutral and write the definition on your tone sheet. Memorize these Examples: Accusing: saying another person or thing was responsible for something.

Tone Evaluate the word choice, detail, and imagery: What is the tone of the poem? Write down 2 examples with word choice (diction) that prove that tone. Example: Scornful; “mud stained trousers to neck ties/we forgot…”

Theme Using your cellular device look up the definition of a theme. Central message of a text. NOT A SUMMARY Can be implied. What does that mean? What are some common, universal, theme subjects? Examples: Sacrifice Loss of innocence

Theme How to find a theme? How to Find ThemeHow to Find Theme What theme means in high school : Less about a moral that includes a lesson, more about a guiding principle (something the author wants the reader to consider) Stronger examples Power Corrupts Loss of Innocence Destruction of Beauty Growth of a child Write down 1 theme from the “Childhood” poem. Make sure it has the subject and opinion. Example: Subject: Loss of innocence As a child grows up, positive messages from childhood are often lost.

Title Evaluate the title of the poem. Write 2 reasons why the author choose the title “Childhood” for the poem on your worksheet Be prepared to share out.

Rubric for T-SIFTT Graphic Organizer This is what you will be graded on and how many points each item is worth. 3 symbols with what it represents- 9 points 3 images with the sense and the image that it conveys- 9 points 3 examples of figurative language. Write type of figurative language, literal meaning and figurative meaning – 9 points 2 words from poem that proves 1 tone word- 6 points 1 theme with explanation -5 points Thorough response, so that you can following thinking- 10 points Name - 2 points. Total- 50 points.

Groups Now stand up, hand up, pair up and work on completing SIFTT for “Tourettes” poem. Find the following (After each, switch partners). 3 Symbols with what it represents 3 images with sense and image it conveys 3 examples of figurative language. Write type, literal meaning and figurative meaning. 2 words from the poem that proves 1 tone word 1 theme with subject and opinion

Individually Now, on your own read “Sweatshop” and complete “T- SIFTT” for the poem Find the following: 3 Symbols with what it represents 3 images with sense and image it conveys 3 examples of figurative language. Write type, literal meaning and figurative meaning. 2 words from the poem that proves 1 tone word 1 theme with subject and opinion

Exit Slip: Post Card Write a post card to a student who was absent explaining what you learned today and why this new information is important. Parts: Front (Blank side): Draw a picture or a symbol of something that represents what we learned today. Back: Write a postcard to an absent student explaining what you learned today and why you learned it. Rubric: Picture connects with activity- 5 points Written explanation is in letter format- 2 points Explanation is thorough and answers both questions- 10 points Proper use of grade level grammar and mechanics- 3 points Total: 20 points