This document provides guidance for students to analyze the poem "A Time to Talk" by Robert Frost. It instructs students to read the poem multiple times, discuss its meaning and structure in groups, and determine the central theme. The goal is for students to understand how to analyze a poem's theme and symbolism. They are also tasked with connecting the poem to other texts and choosing a symbol for their wampum belt project.

1. Reading Poetry and Identifying
Theme:
Robert Frost’s “A Time to Talk”
Grade 4: Module 1A: Unit 1: Lesson 7
R. Medina

2. Learning Target
 I can determine the theme of a poem. (RL.4.2)
 I can explain the structural elements of a poem.
(RL.4.5)
 I can engage effectively in a range of
collaborative discussions. (SL.4.1)
 I can plan a symbol for my wampum belt.

3. “A Time to Talk”
 “A Time to Talk” by Robert Frost
 talk about how this poem looks different
from the previous texts.
 What makes this a poem?
 Read the title. Discuss with your table what
this poem may be about.

4. “A Time to Talk”
 Reading poetry aloud often helps us to gain
better understanding of the poem. Also,
poems usually need to be read multiple
times to figure out what the poet is saying.
Sometimes even adults will read a poem ten
times when trying to figure out its meaning!
 Follow along as I read the poem aloud once.

5. “A Time to Talk”
 Did you notice my reading? Did you notice I stopped at the
periods and paused at the commas?” Rhythm Rhyme?
Images? Speed at which I read?
 The structure of poems will vary, but the punctuation will
always tell you how you should read them. Let’s read the
poem aloud again. How many sentences are in the poem?
How do you know?
 Read the poem silently and circle any words that are
unfamiliar. Many of the words can be figured out using
context. If it is an outdated word and does not have a clear
definition, the important thing is that not understanding the
word does not get in the way of comprehending the entire
poem.

6. What is this poem about?
 Distribute Guiding Questions
 Work in fours. You will now read the poem to
deconstruct it, or figure out its meaning. Read the
poem aloud multiple times as you answer the
questions.
 If you do not know a meaning of a word, remember -
sometimes the definition is not necessary in order
to get the gist of the poem.

7. Determining the Theme
of “A Time to talk”
 We will now be talking about the theme of this
poem.
 Theme is the central message or main idea.
 Take out Keeping Track Chart and fill in a row for
the poem, focusing on summary theme and making
connections.

8. Closing
 How would you explain the structure of this poem?
How does this poem connect to the other texts you
have read?
 How does this poem influence the symbol you
choose for their wampum belt?