Tupac and Langston Hughes Mama

From Mother to Son:

The author says that "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair." Used in this poem, what does "crystal" mean?

• transparent and slippery

• beautiful and dangerous

• rough and difficult

• clear and smooth

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CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

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From Mother to Son:

Which is the best line from the text supporting the poem’s theme?

• So boy, don’t you turn back. By saying not to turn back, the mother is telling her son not to give up.

• And sometime goin’ in the dark Where there ain’t been no light. Expressing that life gets dark, the mother is saying that life is hard sometimes.

• Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. In sharing that life has not been a crystal stair, the mother is saying that her own life has not been easy.

• And places with no carpet on the floor. By referring to bare floor, the mother is saying that sometimes you do not have support.

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CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

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From Mother To Son:

How does the author's use of metaphor impact the reader's understanding of the poem?

• The metaphor of the staircase conveys to the reader that the speaker doesn't have carpet on the floor

• The metaphor of the staircase conveys to the reader that life is an easy climb

• The metaphor of the staircase conveys to the reader that life isn't always easy

• The metaphor of the staircase conveys to the reader that the author steps on a tack

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CCSS.RL.9-10.9

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From Dear Mama:

The speaker in “Dear Mama” can be described as...

• A mother who loves her son

• A son reflecting on his life and showing appreciation for his mother

• A kid growing up in a rough community

• A daughter who loves her mom

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CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

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From Dear Mama:

The author’s tone in “Dear Mama” can be described as..

• Appreciative

• Prosperous

• Condescending

• Disrespectful

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CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

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CCSS.RL.7.5

From Dear Mama:

Which lines from the poem can help you understand the relationship between the speaker and his father?

• "A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how you did it

  There's no way I can pay you back, but the plan

  Is to show you that I understand; you are appreciated"

• "When I was young, me and my mama had beef

  Seventeen years old, kicked out on the streets"

• "No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there

  He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger

  Wouldn't let me feel for a stranger"

• “There are no words that can express how I feel

  You never kept a secret, always stayed real

  And I appreciate how you raised me

  And all the extra love that you gave me”

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CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

From BOTH poems:

"Dear Mama" and "Mother to Son" share which of the following themes?

• Children who honor their parents will experience success

• A woman's strength is a powerful force

• People get out of life what they put into it

• Perseverance is not always worth it

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CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

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CCSS.RL.8.7

From BOTH poems:

Compare Tupac’s mom from “Dear Mama” to the mother in Langston Hughes’ poem, “Mother to Son”. What is similar about the two mothers?

• Both mothers have a hard time caring and providing for their children

• Both mothers are in difficult situations

• Both mothers want to be successful in their jobs

• Both mothers experience hardships or difficulties in their lives but they continually persevere.

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CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

From BOTH poems:

How is the point of view in “Mother to Son” different from “Dear Mama?”

• The point of view in “Mother to Son” is a metaphorical lesson while “Dear Mama” is a reflection on the sacrifices a mother made for her children

• The point of view in “Mother to Son” is a harsh review of a difficult situation while “Dear Mama” is a positive recount of a mother’s struggle

• The point of view in “Mother to Son” is a reflection on the sacrifices a mother made for her children while “Dear Mama” is a metaphorical lesson.

• The poems had the same point of view

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

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CCSS.RL.7.7