Holiday Poetry: Little Tree by E.E. Cummings
In this fun poetry course, students will read and discuss two poems about Christmas trees.
Tassie Bauman Smith
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(397)
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
Beginner Level
Who was E.E. Cummings? Why do his poems look so odd on the page? And what does his cute Christmas poem "Little Tree" really mean? In this class, students will be introduced to the poet E.E. Cummings, learn the term "anthropomorphism" and apply it to the poems vivid images. We will also read Chris Green's vivid poem "Christmas Tree Lots" for comparison. Before class is over, the students will write their own short poem comparing a Christmas Tree to something human.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Chris Green's poem (included below) compares the Christmas trees to refugees or prisoners of war.
Christmas trees lined like war refugees,
a fallen army made to stand in their greens.
Cut down at the foot, on their last leg,
they pull themselves up, arms raised.
We drop them like wood;
tied, they are driven through the streets,
dragged through the door, cornered
in a room, given a single blanket,
only water to drink, surrounded by joy.
Forced to wear a gaudy gold star,
to surrender their pride,
they do their best to look alive.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined September, 2019
5.0
397reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I teach all kinds of English classes including writing, grammar, literature, and ESL. I am an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction especially poetry, science fiction, and fantasy.
I have been teaching for more than 10 years. I taught English as Foreign Language in three different Chinese universities for a total of eight and a half years. These classes included comprehensive English, listening and speaking, writing, and pronunciation. I taught BA, MA, and Ph.D. students. Since we have returned to the United States, I have taught childbirth classes, online ESL through VIPkid, and Sunday School.
I am also a professional writer. I have a traditionally published book, another at my publisher waiting to be edited, and a novel in its second draft. I love giving students the chance to communicate, write, and learn in community with others.
I balance all this with being a homeschool mom. I have homeschooled my two daughters a total of fifteen years. My older daughter attended our local public high school, so I am familiar with public school needs and requirements as well.
I love sharing the wonder of language with learners young and old--both those who are learning English for the first time and those who are diving into the joys of literature. Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$18
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 41 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
2-10 learners per class
