1. Do Now 3/6/13 evoke To call up or produce
Word
evoke
Definition
To call up or produce
Sentence
The smell of baking bread evoked memories of Julisa’s grandma’s house.
Word
synthesize
Definition
To create something new by combining parts
Sentence
Dasia synthesized her thoughts on the poem and created a compelling argument!

2. Our Goals Today (1 min) By the end of class, you will be able to:
Analyze extended metaphor in “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes.
Practice with a group to analyze metaphors in two additional poems.

3. Before Reading
Langston Hughes as a baby and as a student at Lincoln University

4. Before Reading
Segregation in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s

5. Before Reading
Political and social movements during the 1920s

6. Before Reading
Art and Culture during the Harlem Renaissance!

7. Part 1: Class Analysis
Before Reading: Literary device pop quiz
What is an EXTENDED METAPHOR?

8. Part 1: Class Analysis
An extended metaphor is a comparison between two things that does not use “like” or “as” that is carried through the ENTIRE poem.
Authors use metaphors to help readers more deeply understand a topic, item, or feeling by presenting a comparison that gives the topic or item new meaning.

9. Part 1: Class Analysis Reading Process:
We will read the entire poem as a class.
We will analyze the first lines as a class.
Groups will analyze lines from the poem and share their analyses.
We will annotate the poem as a class.
You will determine the meaning of the entire poem on your own.

10. Mother to Son By Langston Hughes
Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor— Bare. But all the time I’se been a-climbin’ on, And reachin’ landin’s, And turnin’ corners, And sometimes goin’ in the dark Where there ain’t been no light. So boy, don’t you turn back. Don’t you set down on the steps ’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard. Don’t you fall now— For I’se still goin’, honey, I’se still climbin’, And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
Mother to Son
By Langston Hughes

11. Part 1: Class Analysis List THREE words you associate with crystal:
What are stairs used for?
HINT: In literature, HEIGHT is something that is associated with GAINING KNOWLEDGE, HAVING WISDOM/EXPERIENCE, OR BEING SUPERIOR OR SUPREME.
What might the crystal stair be a metaphor for?

12. Part 2: Group Analysis
With your group, discuss the question you have been assigned and write down your answer.
Who is the narrator of this poem? To whom is she speaking?
What do the “tacks” and “splinters” and “torn up boards” represent in the narrator’s life?
What does the narrator mean when she says she has been “climbin on” and “reachin landin’s” and “goin in the dark when there ain’t been no light”?
Who is the boy? What does the narrator mean when she says he shouldn’t sit down?
What does the narrator mean when she says she is “still climbin”?
Why does Langston Hughes have the mother speak like this? What is he trying to show about her?

13. Part 3: Independent Analysis
Your turn!
Exit Question: What is the overall meaning or theme of this poem?
Remember:
SYNTHESIZE the meaning of each line to determine the meaning/message of the poem as a whole.
Consider the CONTEXT of this poem and make connections to your background knowledge!

14. Part 3: Group Analysis
Your turn! Move into your triplet groups. As a group, analyze the TWO poems on the back of your worksheet. Make sure you spend enough time on each poem to truly understand the meaning—these WILL be graded!

15. Clean-up (2 mins) Put the desks back into rows.
Worksheet manager – collect the worksheets
Folder manager – collect the folders
Look around your desk and see if there is any trash you can pick up, EVEN if it’s not yours.

16. Class meeting (3 mins) Weekly reading homework due next Monday (3/11)
Announcements:
Turn in all books from Lit Circles unit!
Formative assessment TOMORROW

17. Dismissal (2 mins) Remain in your seat UNTIL the bell rings.
When the bell rings, I will dismiss the rows one by one (quietest first).
ON YOUR WAY OUT, you may put your raffle ticket(s) in your class’s basket, IF you earned any today.
See you tomorrow! 