Swing Song by A. A. Milne Included: A brief excerpt from the poem and rigorous question set activities promoting higher level-thinking development
Tier 1 poetry selection Jacob’s Ladder Goals & Objectives Habits of Mind
Excerpt Here I go up in my swing Ever so high. I am the King of the fields, and the King Of the town. I am the King of the earth, and the King Of the sky. Here I go up in my swing... Now I go down.
Students will be able: Ladder C C1-Literary Elements-To identify and explain specific story elements such as character, setting, or poetic-device. C2-Inference-To use textual clues to read between the lines and make judgments about specific textual events, ideas, or character analysis. C3-Theme/Concept-To identify a major idea or theme common in the text. Ladder D D1 Paraphrasing Students will be able to restate lines read using their own words. D2 Summarizing Students will be able to provide a synopsis of text sections. D3 Creative Synthesis Students will create something new using what they have learned from reading and their synopses. Ladder F F1: - Understanding Words – to identify and explain the meaning of figurative language or new vocabulary within the context of a story or poem. F2: - Thinking About Words – to analyze the use of words within the context as related to the theme of a text. F3 - Playing With Words – to accurately apply figurative language and new vocabulary to newly created contexts
Habits of Mind Working Interdependently Thinking about Thinking (metacognition) Innovating, Creating, Imagining Refer to Jacob’s Ladder Story Table for Ladder C, D & F Thinking Questions.
Tier 2 Rigor (Discussion) High Level Strategies with Ladder C, D & F Questions
Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around, 3-4 Podcast slides (Pixie, Frames). Choose 2 of 3 questions below to complete. C1 — There is a pattern and a relationship between the direction of the swing and the swinger’s identity. Using that connection or pattern make a list of similar connections. C2 — If you knew the swinger would you be friends with them or not? Remember friends are people who share values and morals. If the swinger were already your friend would you be “okay” with their attitude? Why or Why Not? D1 — What actions could someone see similar scenery as the swinger comments on? D2 — Write the poem as a story or prose. Illustrate your writing. Which style of writing give you a more visual picture of the swinger? F1 — Substitute the word “king” with another word to describe a royal person. Does the poem still have the visual images and description?
Tier 3 Rigor (Discussion) High Level Strategies with Ladder C, D & F Questions
Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around, 3- 4 Podcast slides (Pixie, Frames). Choose 2 of 3 questions below to complete. C3 — The “big idea” of this poem is the concept of power. Write a poem in similar style about the “big idea” of power. D3 — Write a poem or draw a picture of what you visualize while you swing. Be as detailed as possible. F2 — There are kings of various areas. Imagine there is a “king” of the merry-go-round” or another piece of playground equipment. What would that king feel, see, and say? Compare and contrast the 2 kings using a venn diagram F3 — Knowing that titles are about the main idea, what title what you choose for the poem. Explain why you think your title is appropriate.
Tier 4 Reflections/Relevance
Choose one of the writing ideas to complete. Be creative. 1. Choose a common pet & an activity they are known to frequently do. Write a poem following this style from the animal’s point of view about participating in the activity. Be sure to include actions and feelings. 2. Write step by step directions on learning how to do something such as swinging. Remember someone who doesn’t know how to do whatever you are explaining needs every step necessary to learn correctly. Suggested project strategies: Write a podcast script; create a puppet show; develop a PSA; a PowerPoint presentation; write and be an actor in a skit; write a persuasive speech and give before the class.