Poems for Advanced Learners

Presentation by

Liisa Feldmann and Hanna Liedeker

Structure

Session 1 (45 min.): - Pre-Reading Task- Introduction of the Poem- Pair Work

Session 2 (90 min.):- Project Phase

Session 3 (90 min.): - Project Phase

Session 4 (45 min.):- Wrapping up the Project Work

Session 1: Pre-Reading Task

What do these people have in common?

What situation were these people in?

Spartacus Malcom X Gandhi Scholl Mandela

Session 1: Introduction of the Poem

• Reading out the poem stanza by stanza • Plenum task: Draw a connection between the

pictures and the poem• Work together in pairs:

– Who is the lyrical persona?– Who is the addressee?

• Collecting the results in class• Homework: Find information on the author which

is important for understanding the poem (take notes)

Session 2: Project Phase

• Discussion of homework as an introduction to the topic of African Americans in the U.S.

• Project phase:– Topic: “Still I Rise“ as a poem about African

Americans in the U.S.– Goal: Setting up a class newspaper– Group work: Each group producing an article

for the newspaper

Session 2: Project Phase

1. Creative Writing: Write a short story which picks up the theme of the poem

2. Possibilities for black women in the U.S. to “rise”

3. Reference to contemporary politics in the U.S.4. Give an overview over African American

history: Include major events, particularly important people, and give information about how the situation of the blacks has changed over the time

5. Give an overview over African American culture: Include language, music and all other aspects which come to your mind. Use illustrative material.

Session 2: Project Phase

• One additional group is responsible for the layout of the newspaper

Rest of the session:• Time for group organisation, research (library,

internet, etc.) and brainstorming• Homework: Produce a creative piece of writing

for the newspaper which is connected to the poem (5-8 lines). Also, keep on working on your project task, please.

Session 3: Project Phase

• Start in the plenum: Presentation of some of the pieces of homework

• Continuing the group work: Further research, if necessary; starting to write the articles

• Homework: Finish up the articles by Saturday night and send them via email to the layout group

• Homework for layout group: Finish up the newspaper and provide a copy for each student

Session 4: Wrapping up the Project Work

• Distributing the copies of the newspaper

• Each group presents its article to the class