Great Job to all the students who participated in our first poetry and music activity. I really enjoyed reading your comments and learning your ideas about the similarities and differences between poetry and music.

Poetry and music are similar because they allow us to express ourselves. Below is an activity that will introduce you to some of the great poets.

Activity 1: Blog 1

Please research Langston Hughes' life by viewing some of the links below, then answer the following questions. Please note that you do not have to read all of the information. Scan the sentences for interesting facts because you will be required to express them in the blog below.

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/83

http://www.redhotjazz.com/hughes.html

http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ho-Jo/Hughes-Langston.html

Please answer the following questions about Hughes.

1. Who raised Hughes? How do you think this affected him?

2. Who tried to discourage Hughes from writing?

3. Why do you think someone would tell people not to follow their dreams?

4. Did he listen to this advice?

5. Write two interesting facts about Hughes.

Activity 2: Blog 2

Directions: Read the following poem, "Harlem," and answer the questions below it in the blog. If you don't understand the highlighted words, click on the words and it will take you to an on-line dictionary, giving definitions to the words.

"Harlem"

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore -
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over -
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

- Langston Hughes, 1951


Questions

1. What does a dream being deferred mean?

2. True or False: People who have their dreams deferred means they go after their dreams.

3. In your opinion what statement in the poem best describes a dream deferred and why? Below is an example from Ms. Shockley.
I think that a dream deferred being compared to a raisin in the sun is the best description because dreams that are not pursued in life will soon dry up and disappear. If a person does not work on their dreams in life then they will vanish. I think that this is a sad fact and I see it too often in life.

4. What figurative language does Langston Hughes use in his poem, "Harlem?" Similes or Metaphors? Give an example.

Activity 3: Blog 3

Directions: Read the song below and see if there is similarities between the song and poem. Then answer the following questions in the blog.

You're gonna be a shinin' star
In fancy clothes and fancy cars
And then you'll see you're gonna go far
'Cause everyone knows just who you are

So live your life
(Hey, ayy, ayy, ayy)
You steady chasin' that paper
Just live your life
(Oh, ayy, ayy, ayy)

Ain't got no time for no haters
Just live your life
(Hey, ayy, ayy, ayy)
No tellin' where it'll take ya
Just live your life
(Oh, ayy, ayy, ayy)

Questions

1. When Rihanna sings "So live your life," what does that mean to you?

2. Do you think there is a connection between what Rihanna sings about life and Hughes writes about dreams? Explain that connection.

3. What are your dreams in life?

4. Are people supportive of your dreams? How are they supportive?

5. What are some of the things you will have to do in order to obtain your dreams?

Poetry Unit: Activity 1

Music and Poetry...are they similar? Listen to the two forms of self-expression and then answer the following questions in the blog. You'll find the definition of both below, use the definitions to help you answer the questions.

Poetry is an imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning, sound, and rhythmic language choices so as to evoke an emotional response. Poetry has been known to employ meter and rhyme, but this is by no means necessary.

Music is an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

or

Music is the art of arranging sounds in time so as to produce a continuous, unified, and evocative composition, as through melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre.




Angel Of Mine - Monica

When I first saw you I already knew
There was something inside of you
Something I thought that I would never find
Angel of Mine

I look at you looking at me
Now I know why they say the best things are free
Gonna love you boy you are so fine
Angel of Mine

How you changed my world you'll never know
I'm here for now, you helped me grow

Chorus:
You came into my life
Sent from above
When I lost the hope
You show my love
I'm checkin for you
Boy your right on time
Angel of Mine

Nothing means more to me then what we share
No one in this world can ever compare
Last night the way you moved is still on my mind
Angel of Mine

What you mean to me you'll never know
Deep inside I need to show

(Chorus)

I never knew I could feel each moment
As if they were new
Every breath that I take
The love that we make
I only share it with you
You, You, You, You

When I first saw you I already knew
There was something inside of you
Something I thought that I would never find
Angel of Mine

(Chorus)

How you changed my world you'll never know
I'm here for now you helped me grow
I look at you looking at me
Now I know why they say the best things are free
Checkin' for you boy your right on time
Angel of Mine

Go to the link below and watch the video.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x92cbd_brave-new-voices-mike_shortfilms

After listening to Angel of Mine and watching the poet, please answer the following questions in complete sentences with a partner in the blog. Don't forget to include your names, so you will receive credit.

1. Do you think that poetry and music are similar? If so, in what ways?

2. How are poetry and music different?

3. What are Monica and the poet, Mike, talking about throughout the song and poem?

4. What are some of the similies that Mike uses in comparison to how he is thinking about his girl? In example, I'm thinking of you like a hand thinks of a glove.

5. Monica describes her boy as being similar to who?

6. Do you think that you could express some of your feelings in the form of poetry or song? Which one would you rather use to express yourself? Why?


Poetry Unit: Activity 2

After watching Mayda Del Valle performing "To All the Boys I've Loved Before," please blog a response (don't forget to sign your name at the bottom) and then answer the following questions on a sheet of paper to be due by the end of the period (complete sentence).

1) How does Mayda feel about all of the boys she's loved before?

2) How do you know that she feels this way? Was it in the way she used emotion, facial expressions, or words? Remember, to support your answer with evidence from the performance.

3) What little girl is Mayda speaking about "taking by the hand?"

4) Why do you think that she lost that little girl in the first place?

5) What are your thoughts about "being priceless?"