Epic Talks: Using the S.L.IM.E Method to Discover the Various Themes of a Poem.

What will be taught? 

Learners will be given a tool to teach them how to decipher the difference between theme and topic. By utilizing poems to hone their theme-deciphering skills, they will be equipped to recognize the attributes of a theme and how it relates to a topic but is vastly different.  

What topics will you cover? 

English, themes, and poetry.  

How is your class structured? 

2:00 – 2:05 PM. (5 min.) 

Teacher greets learners and takes attendance.  

2:05 – 2:15 PM. (10 min.) 

Teacher introduces PowerPoint questions. Learners spend several minutes writing and discussing their answers with one another.  

2:20 – 2:35 PM. (15 min.) 

Teacher and learners read a poem together. Teacher teaches learners how to utilize the S.L.IM.E method to find the theme in the poem.  

2:35 PM – 2:45 PM. (10 min.) 

Teacher gives learners a variety of excerpts to choose from (they only have to choose one) to practice using the S.L.IM.E method to decipher a literary work’s theme.  

2:45 PM – 2:55 PM. (10 min.) 

Learners discuss the themes that they found with one another.  

2:55 PM – 3:00 PM. (5 min.) 

Teacher asks learners if they have any questions. Teacher and learners say farewell! 

How will you teach? 

The lesson will be taught using open-ended questions that facilitate deeper thinking, engaging discussions that promote interaction among learners, and a short writing period of about ten minutes where learners exercise the S.L.IM.E method of discovering various themes within a literary work.  

What's your teaching style? 

The goal of teaching should always be to encourage independent thinking among learners so that they gain insight about the world and begin to understand themselves. My teaching pedagogy stems from the belief that, through frequent discussions, learners will develop the skills they need to discover different aspects of themselves and consider the viewpoints of other learners.   

How much will learners get to interact with you and each other (mention specifics like: lecture, games, slides, video clips, discussion)? 

The class will open with several discussion questions concerning topic and theme. After the writing workshop has ended, the teacher will encourage learners to share their thoughts with one another. 

Any required experience or knowledge learners need? 

Learners should have a basic understanding of what a theme implies. Other than that, no knowledge is necessary. Just a willingness to learn something new!