Shakespearean Poetry  

Lesson Plan for Grade 10, English- British Lit Section 

Prepared by Mrs. Jennifer Rogers 

OVERVIEW & PURPOSE 

To be able to understand Shakespeare’s poetry style, his use of figurative language and 
the effects of his culture have on his writing. The students will have enough knowledge 
to go home and write their own poem in the same style. 

EDUCATION STANDARDS 

1. 9-10 RL. 4- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the 
text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative 
impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone. 
2. 9-10 RL. 6- Analyze how points of view and/or cultural experiences are reflected in 
works of literature, drawing from a variety of literary texts.  
3. 9-10 RL. 10- By the end of the year, proficiently and independently read and 
comprehend literature, including stories, drama, and poetry, in a text complexity 
range determined by qualitative and quantitative measures appropriate to grade 
10. 

UNDERSTANDING/ GOALS 

Students will understand: That the culture and word phrases all have a meaning to the 
author. They will understand the focus on the theme and major concept of that time 
period through the poems 

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS 

1. What is Shakespeare trying to get us to understand?  

2. How does the culture influence poetry?  
3. Why do you think that Shakespeare wrote with the figurative language?  

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OBJECTIVES 

1. Interpret Renaissance or Elizabethian influence on his poems. 

2. Analyze the poems and their figurative language. 

PERFORMANCE TASK 

1. Give each student a piece of poetry and have them think about the figurative 
language and cultural influence. 

OTHER EVIDENCE 

1. Be able to annotate and understand the hidden meaning of poetry. 

2. Do the kahoot game at the end of class and have most students if not all answer 
correctly. 
3. Write a poem in small groups and copy the main ideas said in class. 

PRE-ASSESSMENT 

1. Have them do kahoot game to see how much they understand about 
Shakespearean Poetry in Elizabethan Age. 

PROCEDURES 

1. Play kahoot to assess how much they know before 

2. Talk about the culture and time period 
3. Pass out and read poems  
4. Discuss poems and find the figurative language and cultural influences 
5. Work in groups to create their poem and say them to the class (Ask the questions, 
but switch them up for each group)  
6. Play kahoot at the end to assess how much they understand (If they have time)  
7. Assign Homework… (Write two paragraphs 1) about the influence of Renaissance 
time period and poetry 2) about the figurative language used and its effects)  

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MATERIALS NEEDED 

1. Their Phone 
2. Highlighters/ Pen  
3. Paper 
4. Dictionary  

EXTENSIONS & ENRICHMENT 

1. Write the group poem. 

2. As they finish presenting there ask the list of questions. (Not all questions… pick 
and choose depending on the poem they write.) 

DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION  

1. Content- powerpoint, handout, and discussion 

2. Process- working in groups to write the poem 
3. Products - Kahoot at the end 

All of these will allow the different kinds of learners to be able to understand the 
concept.  

ACCOMMODATIONS 

1. For children with a learning disability, we will read the poem out loud, line by 
line at first so they can understand. We will slowly discuss each line.  
2. For children with a hearing impairment, there will be printed out poems passed 
out, so they can be able to read it and the Sign Language interpreter will be able to 
assist when we discuss.  

TECHNOLOGY 

1. Play kahoot to assess the students 

2. Powerpoint to have them write notes about the time period and culture and 
themes.  

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SOURCES 

Poems to print and hand out to the class. Each one has a different theme that is 
important.  

1. http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/146.html 
2. http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/18.html 
3. http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/71.html 
4. http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/3.htm 

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