Unpacking Poetry Trevor Tangen EDRD 3530 The Problem

Unpacking Poetry Trevor Tangen EDRD 3530

The Problem A man has to get a fox, a chicken, and a sack of corn across a river. He has a rowboat, but it can only carry him and one other thing. If the fox and the chicken are left together, the fox will eat the chicken. If the chicken and the corn are left together, the chicken will eat the corn. How does the man do it?

Solution The man and the chicken cross the river, (the fox and corn are safe together), he leaves the chicken on the other side and goes back across. The man then takes the fox across the river, and since he can't leave the fox and chicken together, he brings the chicken back. Again, since the chicken and corn can't be left together, he leaves the chicken and he takes the corn across and leaves it with the fox. He then returns to pick up the chicken and heads across the river one last time.

Reflections What strategies did you find helpful in attempting to figure out the riddle? *Note: Keep this question in mind as we progress through the lesson!

1 st Reading Please empty your hands, be quiet, close your eyes, and listen to the poem Do not listen for anything in particular, just let the poet’s words soak in After reading, take 30 seconds to think (by yourself) about what the “It” in the poem might be. You do not have to be right, but at least take one good guess!

2 nd Reading Follow along on the handout given to you While listening, ONLY mark images associated with the “It” in the poem. After the reading, take 30 seconds and draw a small picture of what you think the “It” might be. Your picture does not have to be professional artistry, but it should be related to specific images used in the poem.

3 rd Reading Follow along on the handout given to you While listening, highlight/mark anything that stands out to you. This might be… Repeated words/phrases/ideas Memorable lines Specific sounds inserted by the poet More images you didn’t notice at first Questions you have about the poem, or about specific portions of the poem Things that confuse you, so that you may refer back to them later Anything else you deem important in understanding the poem After the reading is finished, take 30 seconds with your partner and take a third guess as to what you think the “It” might be.

Group Work In your groups, do the following: Discuss and come to a consensus about what you believe “it” stands for Draw a picture of the poem. The drawing will be collected (and presented, if there’s time). It must have: A clear illustration of what “it” in the poem is Illustrative examples from the text (At least 1 from each stanza) If the poem says, “And stop to feed itself at Tanks, ” SHOW IT! Include this description (in picture form) in the drawing Any other helpful, artistic embellishments you might deem appropriate to put into your picture! Be creative!

Present Each group will have 30 SECONDS to present their illustration! Use this time to defend your artistic and interpretative decisions!

Exit Ticket Answer the two questions at the bottom of your handout. Please be concise and write in complete sentences. Once completed, tear off the bottom half of the handout and turn it in