Spring, a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Spring, a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Read the poem and discuss the questions that follow in groups or pairs.

Spring by Alfred Lord Tennyson Birds' love and birds' song Flying here and there, Birds' song and birds' love And you with gold for hair! Birds' song and birds' love Passing with the weather, Men's song and men's love, To love once and forever. Men's love and birds' love, And women's love and men's! And you my wren with a crown of gold, You my queen of the wrens! You the queen of the wrens -- We'll be birds of a feather, I'll be King of the Queen of the wrens, And all in a nest together.

Analize the poem!

1.What is the author’s view of spring? What is the tone of the poem?

2.Who is the speaker in this poem? What kind of person is he or she?

3.Who is he/she speaking to?

4.What is the situation, setting and place of the poem?

5.What is its purpose?

6.Can you discuss the language? Are there any words which seem special or well-chosen?

7.Do you like the poem? Why (not)?

Find more poems online related to spring and continue the discussion.

Human Family, Maya Angelou

Poem, video and conversation activity

Read the following poem, watch the clip, and answer the questions below.

HUMAN FAMILY  by Maya Angelou* I note the obvious differences in the human family. Some of us are serious, some thrive on comedy. Some declare their lives are lived as true profundity, and others claim they really live the real reality. The variety of our skin tones can confuse, bemuse, delight, brown and pink and beige and purple, tan and blue and white. I've sailed upon the seven seas and stopped in every land, I've seen the wonders of the world not yet one common man. I know ten thousand women called Jane and Mary Jane, but I've not seen any two who really were the same. Mirror twins are different although their features jibe, and lovers think quite different thoughts while lying side by side. We love and lose in China, we weep on England's moors, and laugh and moan in Guinea, and thrive on Spanish shores. We seek success in Finland, are born and die in Maine. In minor ways we differ, in major we're the same. I note the obvious differences between each sort and type, but we are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike. We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike. We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.

* Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was an American author and

poet born in Missouri.

She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays,

and several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays,

 movies, and television shows.

1.What is the best sumary of the poem? 

A)We are all humans.

B)Family members are similar in the way that they act.

C)Many people have the same smile or the same face gesture.

2.Which of these points are mentioned?

different races

concepts of beauty

names

customs

gestures

similar struggles

friendship

Features of Culture:

Think of one example common to most people around the world or particular of a specific culture.

• Styles of dress
• Importance of time
• Values
• Literature
• Attitudes about personal space/privacy
• Holiday customs
• Music
• Celebrations
• Concept of fairness
• Nature of friendship
• Foods
• Greetings
• Facial expressions and hand gestures
• Work
• Religious beliefs
• Concept of beauty
• Rules of polite behavior
• Attitude toward age
• The role of family

Adapted from PeaceCorps

Answers here!

Lazy Jane by Shell Silvertein

Poem/ Reading, discussion & writing activity

Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) was a poet and musician known for children’s books such as The Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends and the poetry collection A Light in the Attic.  His poems are known by most American children and adults, because they are strange and funny. His books include drawings by him.

A)Reading the poem

“Lazy Jane” is a poem from his most famous book, Where the Sidewalk Ends.

How is the idea of “lazy” developed in the poem? What can you see and infer?

 

Lazy

lazy

lazy

lazy

lazy

lazy

Jane,

she

wants

a

drink

of

water

so

she

waits

and

waits

and

waits

and

waits

and

waits

for

it

to

rain.

This is a poem in the Calligram form. The term comes from the Greek calli and gamma which mean "beautiful writing".

Now. observe the original visual of this poem. It is more than words on a page.

What does it represent to you?

B)Writing a Poem

Think about the word LAZY and write down a few ideas, synonyms, metaphores, associations... and combine them in a visual poem.

You can chose any other words or concepts that you like best.

Answers here!

In Time Of Silver Rain by Langston Hughes

Poem & listening activity

Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form called jazz poetry. Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance.

Listen and read the poem and discuss the questions that follow.

Langston Hughes - In Time Of Silver Rain por poemhunter

In time of silver rain

The earth puts forth new life again,

Green grasses grow

And flowers lift their heads,

And over all the plain

The wonder spreads

Of Life,

Of Life,

Of life!

In time of silver rain

The butterflies lift silken wings

To catch a rainbow cry,

And trees put forth new leaves to sing

In joy beneath the sky

As down the roadway

Passing boys and girls

Go singing, too,

In time of silver rain When spring

And life

Are new.

Discussion 1.Why do you think the rain referred to in the title of this poem is ‘silver’? 2.How are the boys and girls in the poem described? 3.What elements of nature have human qualities in the poem? 4.What message does Hughes give about change in the poem? 5.How would you summarize the idea of this poem?

Answers here!