1. DO NOW Complete the Grammar Bytes! section of your packet. Be prepared to share your answers.

2. Review Theme is a message about life the author wants to convey Revealed through the text

3. Examples of Theme Education is key to success Arrogance and pride can bring destruction You must look beyond the surface to find whats inside Good triumphs over evil Love conquers all Rags to Riches through hard work

4. Sympathy By Paul Laurence Dunbar

5. Summary In his poem, Dunbar expresses sympathy and understanding for the caged bird. He says he knows how it feels to envy freedom and be trapped behind cruel bars with only a prayer or plea to be free. Dunbar has experienced these feelings as a black man in America.

6. Theme The theme of the poem "Sympathy" is racism, and the imprisoning effect it has on the soul. In the poem, the poet Paul Lawrence Dunbar compares himself to a caged bird. As a black man in America, he can sympathize with how the bird feels. He has experienced pain and suffering, just as the caged bird beats his bars until he is bruised and sore. Dunbar knows what its like to sing prayers of desperation. His hope is for the bird and himself to one day be free.

7. Group Stations Station One: Authors Background Edgar Allan Poe and Maya Angelou Station Two: Theme Poe and Angelou Station Three: Theme Thomas and Shakur 25 Minutes Per Station