Lesson One: I think it is great that you are exposing your students to “non-traditional” works with the Chinese examples. My question is how much of the historical/social conditions of each author’s background are you going to expose your classes to? Is that even relevant? I only ask this because this may help them in developing a better understanding of the imagery each author is trying to create. I figured that the ideas of stanza and tone are fairly general, but maybe there is something to understanding what the authors are exposed to in their lives as they try to paint their picture in the readers’ minds. Other than the vocabulary assignment and discussion, is there anything else that the students are expected to produce? Or is the focus primarily to understand the vocabulary and work to analyze the poems leading to later projects or analytical writing?
Lesson Two: I like that you incorporated flex grouping for your ELL and RSP students, but do you also take into consideration CST proficiency, such as placing students who scored at proficient/advanced levels with students on that basic bubble. It is often the students who are basic that just need that little bit more exposure to high level discussion that takes challenges them to improve. Also, do you ever have a certain group that you sit with to give extra intensive instruction? Your handout for the dialectical journal is great and is an excellent resource to encourage more participation during your discussions.
Lesson Three: This is awesome! It really brings together all of the concepts that you have been building towards. It allows for student choice, creativity and a practical application by using the blog format. (This is something that many of them may already be familiar with, and at the very least will be interested in. This will drive home the concept of imagery and allow them to show their knowledge of stanzas.
Great lesson plans! You really take into consideration the needs of all of your students while preserving the rigor necessary to challenge them and help them to improve their grasp of writing mechanics and themes. Further, you have exposed them to poetry from a culture which they may never have had the opportunity to read.
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Happy New Year!
After reviewing this page, my previous questions regarding students activity and involvement has been answered. I really like the discussion questions you've posed for your students. The discussion questions are thought provoking and insightful.