ENJOY 15 MINUTES OF SILENT READING…

BEATS AND THE LIMITS OF WRITING An Exploration of Allen Ginsberg’s Poetry

Think Write Pair Share Consider the following question (this will be journal 1o in your notebook): What is Ginsberg’s meaning / message in writing his poem? Do you believe he was effective? After finishing your answer, find a person with the same shoes as yours to partner with, and discuss your answers with one another. –Be prepared to share your thoughts with the class.

Objective: To understand the meaning and message of Allen Ginsberg’s poetry To develop an understanding of what the implications are of his writing in the world

Key Concepts and Key Ideas… In small groups: Read the selection together, highlighting key words or short phrases (same as you would for annotations) Take turns sharing and discussing highlighted items Identify new thinking and questions that emerged from the exchange; be prepared to share

Key Concepts and Key Ideas… Consider the following questions for your assigned part of the poem… –What other references do you notice and recognize? –What confuses you? (you are NOT allowed to say “everything”…that’s a cop out) –Does it speak to you, or does it turn you off? Why? –Does it remind you of any other poetry you have ever read? If so, what? If not, how is it different? You will chart your group’s findings and post them for the rest of the class to see

Now Watch This… While you watch, consider the animator’s interpretation of the poem, Howl.Howl And now, consider the director’s understanding of both Ginsberg and his writing in the 2010 movie Howlmovie –How is Ginsberg depicted? –How is his writing contextualized? –Do these cinematic interpretations support your understanding of the writer and his work?

Mad Libs: Make It your Own As the next assignment in your notebook, create your own version of the opening lines of Howl using the following as a suggestion for how to begin: I saw the _____ of my generation _____ by _____, _____ _____ _____ _____ themselves through the _____ looking for _____, _____ burning for _____ connection to the _____ in the _____, who _____ and _____ and _____ sat up _____ in the _____ darkness of _____ floating across the _____.