Less than $5 12th Grade Poetry Resources (by price, low to high)

This comprehensive set offers 20 individual assignments, each providing an engaging introduction to the life, style, achievements, and legacy of a renowned poet. Written at a 7th-grade level for ESOL students, the content is clear, approachable, and adaptable, making it suitable for a wide range of learners across different grade levels or with varying reading abilities.

Each assignment includes four thoughtful questions designed to encourage students to think critically about the poet’s work and lasting impact. Whether used in an ESOL classroom or for general education, these assignments support the development of reading and comprehension skills while fostering a deeper appreciation for poetry. Perfect for building a love of literature in your students!

This lesson was designed to be used on the first day of a year-long 11th-grade American Literature course. The lesson includes a poetry packet with 7 poems by diverse American authors. Each of the poems raises important questions about what "America" represents. A land of freedom and equality? A refuge for immigrants? A diverse and inclusive nation? Or a land with entrenched inequality? A saber-rattling evil empire?

Here is a list of the poems:

1. Ada Limón, "A New National Anthem" (2018) — our new Poet Laureate!

2. Emma Lazarus, "The New Colossus" (1883)

3. Walt Whitman, "I Hear America Singing" (1860)

4. Langston Hughes, "I, Too" (1923) — responding directly to Whitman!

5. Claude McKay, "America" (1921)

6. James Lasdun, "The Question" (2012) — is America "good or bad"?

7. Tony Hoagland, "America" (2003)

This resource also comes with a classwork packet that features discussion questions on the poems by Ada Limôn, Emma Lazarus, and Langston Hughes. The discussion questions come on three handouts, each of which contains 7 questions about a particular poem. Each handout also has a quick write where students can answer one of the questions in writing.

How might the concept of "America" represent a set of ideals and promises? Has this nation lived up to its ideals and promises? How might the idea of America be different from the reality?

Thank you for choosing Rigorous Resources!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

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Rigorous Resources is your one-stop shop for resources on American literature. Every unit was designed by a Ph.D. with a research specialization in American literature. Feel free to check out these complete units on canonical texts by diverse American authors:

Complete Unit on Tommy Orange's There There

Complete Unit on Arthur Miller's The Crucible

Complete Unit on Frederick Douglass's Narrative

Complete Unit on F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

Complete Unit on Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God

Complete Unit on Nella Larsen's Passing

Complete Unit on J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye

Complete Unit on Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun

Complete Unit on Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye

Complete Unit on Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese

This 45-page EDITABLE unit focuses on poems about cultural identity! The unit on promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor.

The thirteen poems are divided into two reading packets, with the first packet focusing cultural roots and affirming ancestors, and the second packet focusing on cultural hybridity. Each reading packet is followed by a classwork packet that contains a quiz on literary devices, discussion questions for some of the poems, quick writes, and a creative writing assignment. Finally, a third packet features an analytical writing assignment, sample student paper, and glossary of literary devices.

Here's a detailed account of what you'll find in this 45-page curriculum:

• Homework Packets with Poems: The two homework packets contain a total of 13 love poems by award-winning poets such as Elizabeth Acevedo, Maya Angelou, Sandra Cisneros, Lisa Parker, Nate Marshall, Clint Smith, and others. (15 pages)

• Literary Devices Glossary: A glossary with definitions and examples of the various types of figurative language, imagery, sound devices, and syntactic devices. Many teachers already have a glossary of literary devices, but I'm providing this in case you need one. (2 pages)

• Literary Devices Quizzes: Open each class with a quiz of 10 questions to assess whether students can accurately identify the literary devices found in poems from the packet: metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. Answer keys included. (4 pages).

• Discussion Questions: This unit features a list of discussion questions for three poems featured in the homework packets. The discussion questions will ensure that each class discussion is focused and productive. Every discussion question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Guaranteed to elicit student engagement and foster deep thinking! Answer keys included. (15 pages)

• Quick Writes: The quick writes give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. Quick writes can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (3 pages)

• Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on a poem of their choice. The assignment sheet contains detailed instructions for how to generate a formalist analysis of a poem (analyzing how the poem's formal features contribute to its meaning). This kind of formalist analysis is exactly what students are asked to generate on the AP Literature exam! Sample paper included. (3 pages)

This entire 45-page unit will come to you in two separate formats: Word *and* PDF. Because the Word doc is fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access all of the materials as a PDF — which is easy to navigate and quick to print!

My store is called “Rigorous Resources” because all of the resources contain rigorous content that will motivate students to engage in thought-provoking and productive discussions. Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

Links to all of the poetry units in this collection:

Poetry Unit #1: Sensory Imagery in Poetry

Poetry Unit #2: Figurative Language in Poetry

Poetry Unit #3: Love Poems

Poetry Unit #4: Ethical Dilemmas in Poetry

Poetry Unit #5: Family Dynamics in Poetry

Store: https://www.TeachShare.com/Store/Rigorous-Resources

This 15-page EDITABLE document features 5 poems that pair exceptionally well with The Great Gatsby. The poems focus on many of the same themes that are explored in Fitzgerald's masterpiece: why people adorn themselves to look like they're of a higher social status, how money can complicate romantic attraction, whether money brings happiness, etc.

Here's what you'll find inside:

• A Poetry Packet with 5 Poems: The packet features poems by a diverse range of American authors such as Gary Soto, Marge Piercy, Amit Majmudar, and Adam Kirsch. (5 pages)

• Literary Devices Quiz: A quiz with 10 questions about the literary devices used in Gary Soto's poem "Oranges." Use the quiz to assess whether your students can accurately identify literary devices such as metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. Answer key included. (2 pages

• Discussion Questions on Gary Soto's poem "Oranges": The discussion questions will ensure that your class discussion gets off to a productive start. Every question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Answer key included. (4 pages)

• Quick Write: The "quick write" will give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. A quick write can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (1 page)

The poetry pairings will come to you in a 15-page EDITABLE Word document which you can customize to the needs of your students! The preview for this resource provides viewing access to the entire document. Click on the green “PREVIEW” button to see what you’ll get. . . .

Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

Note: These poetry pairings are also included in my Gatsby MEGA-Bundle. The bundle contains everything you'll need to deliver amazing and comprehensive lessons on Fitzgerald's novel: over 40 slides and over 240 pages of content-rich handouts and activities. If you've already purchased the bundle, you don't need to purchase these poetry pairings. Thanks!

Click to view the Gatsby MEGA-Bundle

Click to view my TeachShare store

Links to my other poetry units:

Poetry Unit #1: Analyzing Poetic Imagery

Poetry Unit #2: Analyzing Figurative Language

Poetry Unit #3: Poems on Ethical Dilemmas

Poetry Unit #4: Poems on Parent-Child Relationships

Contains poem, graphic organizer for analysis, graphic organizer for literary devices, and answer key.

An easy to understand presentation to help students with mood and tone. Includes: Definitions Quotes Examples Group/Individual Activities with word banks Whole class reviews (Poetry and Prose) Great for literature classes and writing reviews! Meets CCSS.

This product will allow your students to easily understand and analyze E. E. Cummings' "maggie and milly and molly and may" by breaking it down line-by-line!

Instruct your students to fold the paper in half the long way, and to cut along the black lines into the midline of the paper. They will end up with a long, skinny version of the poem on the front of the flaps, and analysis question inside.

As they read the poem, they will peel back the flap to reveal questions that ask them to analyze the poem for theme, mood, syntax, diction, characterization, symbolism, alliteration, rhythm, and rhyme.

This product is perfect for your students' interactive notebooks, as an in-class activity, or for homework. Please ask if you have any questions!

This product will allow your students to easily understand and analyze E.E. Cummings' [love is more thicker than forget] by breaking it down line-by-line!

Instruct your students to fold the paper in half the long way, and to cut along the black lines into the midline of the paper. They will end up with a long, skinny version of the poem on the front of the flaps, and analysis question inside.

As they read the poem, they will peel back the flap to reveal questions that ask them to analyze for theme, repetition, imagery, syntax, alliteration, tone, comparisons, and contradictions. Please ask if you have any questions!

***Interested in checking out what a foldable poetry analysis from my store looks like? Please download my freebie here! Foldable Poetry Analysis for The Quiet World by Jeffrey McDaniel: FREEBIE ***

Please help my little business grow!

Did you know that you can receive $ credit towards future TeachShare purchases by reviewing this product? Please leave a review at the product page or through "My Purchases" under "My Account" at TpT. Thank you!

This product will allow your students to easily understand and analyze John Donne's "Batter My Heart, Three-Person'd God" by breaking it down line-by-line!

Instruct your students to fold the paper in half the long way, and to cut along the black lines into the midline of the paper. They will end up with a long, skinny version of the poem on the front of the flaps, and analysis question inside.

As they read the poem, they will peel back the flap to reveal questions that ask them to analyze the poem for tone, word choice, author's purpose, figurative language, gist, and theme. Please ask if you have any questions!

***Interested in checking out what a foldable poetry analysis from my store looks like? Please download my freebie here! Foldable Poetry Analysis for The Quiet World by Jeffrey McDaniel: FREEBIE ***

Please help my little business grow!

Did you know that you can receive $ credit towards future TeachShare purchases by reviewing this product? Please leave a review at the product page or through "My Purchases" under "My Account" at TpT. Thank you!

This individual or group crossword puzzle activity uses 12 terminologies and optional word bank, as well as word bank with definitions handout, that include: Simile The boy ran as fast as the wind. Sentence uses “like” or “as” to make comparisons. Metaphor The construction worker is a prince. An implied comparison between two unlike beings or objects. Alliteration Casey cackled confidently. The repetition of a single letter at the beginnings of words. Internal (Rhyme) Type of rhyme: The groom was soon doomed. Rhyme occurs inside the words of a sentence. Onomatopoeia Ring, ring…went the telephone. Sound words. Hyperbole I was so hungry I could eat an elephant. An exaggerated statement that has no literal meaning. Adjective The ragged, tattered coat. Vivid words that describe. Personification The flowers danced in the wind. Animals or inanimate objects take on qualities of humans. Synechdoche ABCs for Alphabet. Shortened forms of whole words. Adverb The two boys ran quickly. Tells when, where, or why and may end in –ly. Pun Sea captains don't like crew cuts. Deliberate use of words with multiple meanings that creates play on phrases. Oxymoron Long shorts or silent yell. Opposite words are combined to form phrases. Get students to interact with figurative language. Packet includes answer sheet with definitions. Fun introduction, test prep, or assessment for figurative language!

1.      Same Picture Four Settings- Students are given a partial character drawing and asked to draw that character in four different settings. There are two ways to complete this assignment. I have provided a list of possible settings to draw out (students would pick these out of a hat/bowl, OR they could choose four from the list to use).

2.      Describe the Setting-Five different pictures are given. You can give it to students at random or give it to all five students. Their instructions are to (using complete sentences) describe the setting.

3.      Setting for any book- Use this chart to help students fill out their knowledge of the setting of any book.

Check out my other units and lessons on my website or the TeachShare storefront.

Have fun teaching Hyperboles with this twelve pdfs that defines, illustrates, and explains the concept. Includes: Individual/whole group activities (students illustrate or make videos) Definition Examples Media links with fun Youtubes Images for use with inferencing skills and more... Easy to follow and understand. Engaging and fun way to learn and use hyperboles.

This product will allow your students to easily understand and analyze Sylvia Plath's "Morning Song" by breaking it down line-by-line!

Instruct your students to fold the paper in half the long way, and to cut along the black lines into the midline of the paper. They will end up with a long, skinny version of the poem on the front of the flaps, and analysis question inside.

As they read the poem, they will peel back the flap to reveal questions that ask them to analyze the poem's use of characterization, diction, tone, imagery, and figurative language. I've included a suggested answer key for your convenience.

This product is perfect for your students' interactive notebooks, as an in-class activity, or for homework.

This product will allow your students to easily understand and analyze the poetic elements in Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock" by breaking it down line-by-line!

Instruct your students to fold the paper in half the long way, and to cut along the black lines into the midline of the paper. They will end up with a long, skinny version of the poem on the front of the flaps, and analysis question inside.

As they read the poem, they will peel back the flap to reveal questions that ask them to analyze the song lyrics for theme, symbolism, characterization, allusion, format, simile, and metaphor.

This foldable includes an answer key! Please ask if you have any questions!

This worksheet will help your students understand and analyze Billy Collins' poem Snow Day! The 9 questions are "chunked" stanza-by-stanza and analyze Collins' use of imagery, diction, syntax, theme, description, characterization, and author's purpose. Please let me know if you have any questions!

This product will allow your students to easily understand and analyze Sylvia Plath's "Metaphors" by breaking it down line-by-line!

Instruct your students to fold the paper in half the long way, and to cut along the black lines into the midline of the paper. They will end up with a long, skinny version of the poem on the front of the flaps, and analysis question inside.

As they read the poem, they will peel back the flap to reveal questions that ask them to analyze the poem's use of diction, tone, imagery, and figurative language.

This product is perfect for your students' interactive notebooks, as an in-class activity, or for homework.

This product will allow your students to easily understand and analyze Robert Herrick's To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" by breaking it down line-by-line!

Instruct your students to fold the paper in half the long way, and to cut along the black lines into the midline of the paper. They will end up with a long, skinny version of the poem on the front of the flaps and analysis question inside.

As they read the poem, they will peel back the flap to reveal questions that ask them to analyze the poem's format, tone, diction, theme, rhyme scheme, and figurative language. An answer key is included for your convenience!

This product is perfect for your students' interactive notebooks, as an in-class activity, or for homework. The activity would be appropriate for accelerated middle school or high school classes.

Please view my video on how to use my line of foldable poetry analysis activities!

A suggested answer key is included!

This product will allow your students to easily understand and analyze Gwen Harwood's "In the Park" by breaking it down line-by-line!

Instruct your students to fold the paper in half the long way, and to cut along the black lines into the midline of the paper. They will end up with a long, skinny version of the poem on the front of the flaps, and analysis question inside.

As they read the poem, they will peel back the flap to reveal questions that ask them to analyze the poem's characterization, setting, diction, authors’ purpose, poetic format, tone, and theme.

This product is perfect for your students' interactive notebooks, as an in-class activity, or for homework. The activity would be appropriate for accelerated middle school or high school classes.

Teaching poetry using the TPCASTT strategy? Take your students through the process of poetry analysis using notes over TPCASTT and a poem to practice (Robert Frost's Road Not Taken)

Product includes leveled versions:

• Guided Resources

-Cloze Notes

-Guided Poem with TPCASTT Prompts

• Unstructured Resources

-Open Notes (Students write it all themselves.)

-Unguided Poem (No TPCASTT Prompts)

• Two Short Answer Response Questions

This Google Doc is ready-to-go to help your students analyze Wilfred Owen's "Disabled"! You can print it or post it to Google Classsroom!

This product is a 3-columned chart. On the left, you'll find the full text of the poem broken down by stanza. The middle column has poetry analysis questions. The right gives students a place to answer each question.

The 14 questions address diction, imagery, figurative language, characterization, theme, tone, symbolism, foreshadowing, and plot.

I've included a suggested answer key for your convenience at the bottom of the doc.