Creative Writing-Emily Dickinson, Whitman, Hughes, Emerson

• In “Hope is the thing with feathers.” the author used a metaphor to compare the emotion of hope to a bird. Name other emotions, such as joy, fear, sorrow, love, hate, and curiosity. Then, write a poem of at least two stanzas about one of these emotions, using a metaphor as the first line of the poem. Use this as an example: Love is a roller coaster, or School is a Roller Coaster.

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Using the line I Hear America Singing or A Nation's Strength, write a creative poem about what makes a student strong, or a school strong, or what do you hear singing in America's future? What are the kids singing? Base it off the poem, I Hear America Singing.

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• Reread the poem “Dream Deferred.” Then, discuss how the speaker feels about not being able to achieve a dream.

• Finally, in small groups, discuss a dream you and your partner might have for your school and a dream you and your partner might have for your city or town. Make a list of at least one dream for your school and one dream for your city, and talk about ways to achieve these dreams.

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Discuss in small groups: How are the central themes of “I Hear America Singing” and “A Nation’s Strength” alike? Use examples from both poems to support your answer.

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In I hear America Singing, how do the images in the poem contribute to the overall theme? Cite at least two pieces of specific evidence from the text in your response.

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Walt Whitman has been called the father of the free verse. What effect does this poetic form have on the poem overall?

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2. PART A: In the final line, what does the phrase "Singing with open mouths" suggest about what it means to be American?

• 1. that they are diverse, open-minded, tolerant people

  2. that they want to be heard

• 1. that they are generous and benevolent people

• 1. that they are bold and proud people

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2. PART B: Which phrase provides the best support for the answer to Part A?

• 1. "varied carols"

• 1. "blithe and strong"

• 1. "what belongs to him or her and to none else"

• 1. "delicious singing of the mother"

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Why is it significant that Walt Whitman discusses the mechanic, carpenter, mason, and boatman? What is his point?

2. Consider other perspectives: how might the American experience depicted in this poem differ from that of immigrants, or of African-Americans (remember, slavery was abolished in 1865 – 5 years after this poem was published)?

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How do all the poems in this lesson relate to the theme of the many forms of poetry?

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