1. Unit 3: Perseverance
“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves.” Marie Curie

2. Unit 3 Has 4 sections Each section will take about 10 days
Everything we read will relate in some way to our theme of Perseverance
Each section has required performance tasks.
Section 1: We have to analyze a poem by Langston Hughes and Determine the Central Idea of “Derek Redmond: The Day That Changed My Life”
Section 2: We have to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums.
Section 3: We will be evaluating the effectiveness to which an author conveys their argument in two texts on opposing sides of an issue.
Section 4: After reading a set of texts we will have to make a claim and support it with evidence from the texts that we read.

3. What is perseverance? NOTE:
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What is perseverance?
After reading the three sentences on page 1 give students about seconds to brainstorm what the characteristics of perseverance are. Together complete the frayer map/graphic organizer on page 1.

4. “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that
“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves.” Marie Curie
Not that we have defined what perseverance is let’s look at the quote.
With your partner discuss what you think Marie Curie is trying to tell us?
Once you and your partner agree write your interpretation of her quote on the bottom of page 1 in your booklet.
Marie Curie was a woman scientist when women were excluded from the field. She lost her husband in a car accident, and worked very hard to achieve her goals. Give students about 2 minutes to discuss andother 1 minute to write out their interpretation of the quote. Have pairs share their interpretation with the class.

5. Standard and Objectives
LAFS.8.RL.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
I can determine the figurative and connotative meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text.
I can analyze the impact of specific word choices on the meaning and tone of a text.

6. May I Persevere Stanza 1 Paraphrase
When all the world is looming dark And things seem not so clean, When shadows seem to hover ‘round May I Persevere.
In your own words what does this mean?
When I am sad or depressed and it seems the world is a dark and hard place I need to be strong and carry on.
I put my interpretation under the box, you can move it to share. The poem is on page 28 in their booklets.

7. May I Persevere Stanza 2 Paraphrase
When it seems everything’s been tried And there’s no way to go, Just let me keep remembering Sometimes the journey’s slow.
In your own words what does this mean?
When facing a problem and it seems like I have tried everything and it is just something I will never fix I need to remember to be patient.
I put my interpretation under the box, you can move it to share.

8. May I Persevere Stanza 3 Paraphrase
I may just need to stop and rest Along the path I walk, A time to try to understand And find someone to talk.
In your own words what does this mean?
When I am frustrated I may need to take a step back or take a break from the problem. That can often help see a different way. It can also help if you talk it out.
I put my interpretation under the box, you can move it to share.

9. May I Persevere Stanza 4 Paraphrase
As I gain new strength to carry on Without a doubt or fear, Somehow I know things will be right, And so, I persevere.
In your own words what does this mean?
After taking a break, I need to go back to solving the problem. I need to have faith in myself and confidence it will be okay. So I keep going.
I put my interpretation under the box, you can move it to share.

10. “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that
“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves.” Marie Curie
How does this poem relate back to the quote?
What is the literal meaning of these figurative words or phrases?
What analogy does the author use to describe perseverance?
Figurative
Literal
The world is looming dark
Shadows seem to hover
The path I walk
The Journey
Marie Curie was a woman scientist when women were excluded from the field. She lost her husband in a car accident, and worked very hard to achieve her goals. Give students about 2 minutes to discuss andother 1 minute to write out their interpretation of the quote. Have pairs share their interpretation with the class.

11. Bell Work Find the poem “Don’t Quit” on page 10.
NOTE:
To change images on this slide, select a picture and delete it. Then click the Insert Picture icon
in the placeholder to insert your own image.
Bell Work
Find the poem “Don’t Quit” on page 10.
Number the stanzas (there are 4)
As we read today we will analyze the impact or word choices on meaning and tone by focusing on a description within the text.
Tone: the attitude you feel in a poem
After reading the three sentences on page 1 give students about seconds to brainstorm what the characteristics of perseverance are. Together complete the frayer map/graphic organizer on page 1.

12. Standard and Objectives
LAFS.8.RL.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
I can analyze the impact of word choices on the meaning and tone by focusing on a description within a text.

13. Don’t Quit Stanza 1 Questions Read this stanza 2x Page 11 Answer #1 A
the first time just read it.
The second time as you read think of examples of difficulties the author lists.
Page 11
Answer #1 A
Answer #1B on your own, then discuss your answer with your partner. Did you come up with the same answer as to How they help the reader?
With your partner discuss #1C after you have discussed it write two or more examples on your paper.
I put my interpretation under the box, you can move it to share.

14. Don’t Quit Stanza 2-4 Questions Read these stanzas 3x Page 11
the first time just read the rest of the poem to enjoy it.
The second time as you read look for an argument the author is developing about why people should not quit. Once you have found that argument look for evidence from the text to support it.
The third time you read look in Stanza 3 for symbols the author is using.
Page 11
Answer #2A and B
Answer #3A and B
After completely answering these questions discuss your answer with your partner. If you had any “aha” moments or got new ideas you may add on to your original answer.
I put my interpretation under the box, you can move it to share.

15. Bell Work
An analogy is a comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
Example: In May I persevere life or problem solving was compared to a long slow journey.
An allusion is an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
Example: “He was a real Romeo with the ladies.” Romeo was a character in Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, and was very romantic in expressing his love for Juliet. 
Come up with an example of an analogy or an allusion.

16. Standard and Objectives
LAFS.8.RL.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
I can analyze the impact of word choices on the meaning and tone by focusing on a description within a text.

17. Poem Analysis
Title-Examine the title before reading consider the allusions and connotations
Connotation-Examine for meaning beyond the literal. Identify words that build emotional responses. Look at imagery, figurative language, sound devices, rhythm etc…
Attitude-Or tone. What is the speaker’s and the poet’s attitudes.
Shifts-note shifts or changes in speaker and attitude
Theme-what is the theme

18. Mother to Son Examine the title Who is the poet?
Read the first line of the poem. Who is the speaker?
Are they the same?
Based on the title and first line what is the poem going to be about?
The poet is a man; Langston Hughes. The speaker is a mother. Not the same person. The poem is going to be a mother talking to her son.

19. Connotation
Listen as I read the first 7 lines of the poem. I want you close your eyes and let the words create an image in your mind.
When I finish reading I want you to briefly describe in writing (or with a partner) what image you saw. You may even quickly draw the image.
Listen as I read the next 6 lines of the poem. Keep in mind the title, what does the person climbing the stairs look like? What does reaching landings and turning corners have to do with perseverance? Think of a time you’ve gone up or down stairs in the dark what was it like?
Listen as I read the last 7 lines of the poem. What message is the mother trying to convey to her son? How do you know?
Now on page 6 in your booklet complete the figurative language organizer.
I believe the 5 phrase are crystal stair, tacks, splinters, boards torn up, bare

20. Standard and Objectives
LAFS.8.RL.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
I can analyze the impact of word choices on the meaning and tone by focusing on a description within a text.
Today read the poem again. This time as you read you will be looking for allusions and analogy.

21. Mother to Son Analogy or Allusion What is being compared
“don’t you set down on the steps”
Sitting down on the stairs is compared to giving up
Create a T Chart on your paper. You may work with a partner, think back to the meaning of analogy and allusion. If you find any examples of either record them on your T Chart and what they are being compared to.

22. Attitude and Theme
In the first 7 lines of the poem what is the tone of the poem? How do you know?
In the next 6 lines does the attitude change? Stay the same? How do you know?
In the last 7 lines what is the attitude now? How do you know?
Did the attitude shift? What clues did the text give to show you that?
What is the universal message the poet is trying to convey to the reader?

23. Performance Task B
You will analyze Langton Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son”
You will look for analogies and allusions.
You will also need to analyze the impact of specific word choices and determine how they contribute to the meaning and tone of the poem.
In our analysis of this poem have we done both of these things?