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?