Shakespeare Unit Introduce Shakespeare and Sonnets

Senior English 1:51 to 2:36

Sonnet Object Lesson
Date: __________________
Objective:
Students will be able to:
Understand the importance reading poetry slowly and closely.
Materials:
13 each of

Napkins
Plates
Cupcakes

Alignment with State Standards

RI.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different
media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a
question or solve a problem.
W.11-12.2b Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant
facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples
appropriate to the audiences knowledge of the topic.
Background Information:
Students will have previously been exposed to poetry.
Engagement:
When reading sonnets, or any type of poetry, it is important to take your time and explore all the
words both individually and as a whole otherwise, you might miss something.
Exploration:
1. Say:
a. Take out a piece of paper and something to write with.
2. Wait until everyone has their materials out.
3. Say: Okay, I have an object that I am about to show you. You have five seconds to look at it
from where you are sitting.
4. Hold up cupcake in Tupperware.
5. Wait five seconds.
6. Say:
a. Okay, now take a minute and write down everything you can about what you just
saw.
7. Wait one minute.
8. Ask for descriptions from students
9. Write descriptions on the board
10. Pass out plates and napkins and Say:
a. Now, I am going to give you each one of the objects you just described. You are
going to get five minutes this time instead of five seconds. You are going to do the
same assignment you just completed but this time you may touch, smell, and/or eat
the object while describing it. Five minutes, go.
11. Wait five minutes
12. Ask for descriptions from students.

Shakespeare Unit Introduce Shakespeare and Sonnets

Senior English 1:51 to 2:36
13. Write descriptions on board.
Application:
Application will come in later lessons as we work with reading Shakespearean sonnets.
Closure:
1. Say:
a. See how much better you were about to describe the object when you examined it
up close and took more time with it? Sonnet do not taste as good as cupcakes, but
like cupcakes, you are able to understand them better and gain more enjoyment from
them the more time you take to understand exactly what they are.
Evaluation:
The evaluation for the students will come from class discussion of Sonnets 18 and 130.
During the class discussion, the students will show that they can

Understand the importance reading poetry slowly and closely.

Differentiation:
To modify this lesson and assignment, it would be possible to do any or all of the following:
Discuss, rather than write, their description of the object/cupcake
Have a Paraprofessional available to assist with specific needs a student may have
References:
Lesson adapted from:

http://www.stuckeyinsecond.com/2014/11/close-reading-with-oreos.html?m=1