Students will: 
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
Analyze how a drama's or poem's form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning
Compare and contrast a written story, drama, or poem to its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia version, analyzing the effects of techniques unique to each medium (e.g., lighting, sound, color, or camera focus and angles in a film).
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
Come to discussions prepared, having read or researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion.
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.
Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonym/antonym, analogy) to better understand each of the words.
Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., refined, respectful, polite, diplomatic, condescending).

As a lifelong reader, parent of child with a learning disability and English teacher at the middle, high school and college level, teaching poetry and literature, and making it relevant to the lives of students is one of my passions.

Students will be expected to read assigned poems before each class, and find a form of modern artistic expression including, but not limited to song, book, piece of artwork, or musical that embodies the same message as the poem(s) assigned that week.

Progress is informally assessed by participation, the sharing of modern comparisons, and student created poetry at the end of the course.  Students who need formal assessment can receive letter grades for participation, weekly assignments and final poetry assignment. 

50 minutes per week in class, and an estimated 1 - 2 hours per week outside of class.

Poetry.org, Poetry Foundation,
Students may want to acquire a copy of 101 Great American Poems by Dover Thrift Editions.  
Here is a link, as of November 2020 the book is $2.99: https://amzn.to/3nhjkb5