Walt Whitman: Poems Lesson Plan

Pastiche Project: Day 3

Kind of Activity:

Creative Writing

Objective:

Students will write imitations of Whitman's poems to better understand his poetic choices and thematic concerns.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.2.D; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3.D

Structure:

This is Day Three of a five-day project.

For today, have students choose between "Beat! Beat! Drums!", "Ashes of Soldiers," and "Thoughts." Ask what is notable about these poems (their use of sound/apostrophe, onomatopoeia, list form, etc.). Suggest that students consider their previous pastiches when considering what to focus on for this one—do they see any sorts of themes or patterns emerging...