The document outlines a lesson plan for teaching literary devices and figurative language to students through popular music. It begins by assessing students' prior knowledge of poetry and vocabulary. Students then analyze lyrics from songs like "Mean" by Taylor Swift to identify devices like metaphor and simile. They practice in groups identifying devices in other songs before choosing their favorite example. The lesson aims to show students that songs are like poems set to music to improve their view of poetry.

1. Syntax Activity Script
Motivation
and state the
objective
Using the white boards, I will quiz the
students to assess prior knowledge to
guide instruction. (Teachers should have
benchmark data prior.)
Student beliefs regarding poetry and
literacy devices will be diagnosed and
challenged. I use thumbs up/side/down.
Discuss the terms “literary device/
figurative language. I have them draw the
Statue of Liberty and then pick one word it
“stands” for.
Students will be asked to move to a Hate
Poetry side of the room or a Love Poetry
side. Then ask if they like music/songs to
move to a side! Should be interesting!
Academic Vocabulary Targets: literary
devices, figurative language, simile,
metaphor, personification, hyperbole,
rhyme, alliteration.
What is a literacy device? (F)
Do you remember figurative language?
Can you list some? (F)
Do you enjoy poetry? (E)
Please move to a side of the room to show
whether you like poetry. (F) (Instructor
will wait and then take count.) The same
movement will be asked in regards to
music.
In what music that you listen to, do you
believe that the artist might use literary
devices? (A)
Demonstrate Mrs. Legge will show the PPT on literary
devices and figurative language.
Elements of Poetry.ppt
I will check to make sure that the ESL
population and struggling students are
receiving on the spot support using
translators and hand -outs for
differentiation.
Some students may need to spend more
time with the target vocabulary before
moving on to identification.
We are going to check out a PPT that may
help you to remember some of your
academic vocabulary that we will use
during poetry analysis.
Do many of you remember many of these
key vocabulary words?
It is important to take time to assess your
prior knowledge before beginning a new
unit.
Sandra N. Kaplan, USC
Standard: 7.5 The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of a variety of fictional texts, narrative
nonfiction, and poetry. d) Describe the impact of word choice, imagery, and literary devices including figurative
language.
Objective: Students will identify literary devices using popular music and prior knowledge and will
provide their own examples to demonstrate mastery.
Name: Summer Craig
Date: March 28, 2013
Subject: Literacy Devices in Poetry
Model of Teaching: DIRECT INSTRUCTION

2. Check
Understandin
g
Re-check with white board questioning.
Discuss how songs are truly poems set to
music!
Does anyone have any questions, or can
you help me to teach the material?
Structured
Practice
I will elicit responses and examples from
the class.
I will play a Taylor Swift video, “Mean”
while we listen for devices and look at
the lyrics together.
http://vimeo.com/user6605365/meanvide
o
I will challenge the concept that poetry is
old fashioned and difficult to interpret.
Can anyone name a type of literary device
used? (F)
Is it figurative language? (F)
Some of the figurative language seems
similar; can you compare two that are
close in definition? (A)
Metaphor vs. Simile (A)
Guided
Practice
Students will work at their tables in groups
to identify figurative language in current
pop songs (handouts).
* Teachers should demonstrate activity
on overhead simultaneously!
*Advanced students should try to
determine as many literary devices as
possible and then interpret the poem by
translating into daily language.
Which devices are difficult to identify? (E)
Do you have any questions?
What are some of your favorite examples?
What difference do you see between the
different devices? (E)
What impact do these devices have on the
poem/song? (A)
Independent
Practice
Students are asked to search through their
most liked pop songs to identify their
favorite line which uses figurative
language or other literary devices.
ESL will be encouraged to find lyrics to
their favorite song in their primary
language to share as well.
Exit Slip: Retry the original movement
activity while asking if they Love/Hate
Poetry/music!
Let’s try this again! With the
understanding that songs are really poems
set to music, maybe poetry isn’t so bad?
I want you all to move to either this side of
the classroom if you LOVE poetry/music
and the other if you HATE poetry/music.
You can also be somewhere in the middle!
Bring in an example of your own to share
with the class, and we will write those onto
tape and paste them around the class.
Closure: Students are asked whether they gained any useful information or strategy from the lesson plan.
Students are told that the lesson plan was formatted to tap into their prior knowledge so that they could
have a better assessment for their own understanding of literary devices. Did you enjoy the lesson today?
(F) Were there any aspects of the lesson that added to your overall knowledge of the information? (A)
Were there any aspects of the lesson that detracted from your learning today?
Sandra N. Kaplan, USC

3. Poetry Vocabulary
Alliteration
Character
Concrete poem
Couplet
Description
Dialect
Dialogue
Diction
Extended metaphor
Fantasy
Figurative language
Figure of speech
Foot -( two or more syllables that together = the smallest unit of rhythm in poem)
Free verse
Genre
Haiku
Humor
Idiom
Images
Limerick
Lyric poem
Metaphor
Meter
Narrative
Narrative poem
Onomatopoeia
oxymoron
Poetry
Refrain
Rhyme
Rhyme scheme
Rhythm
Simile
Sound devices
Stanza
tone
Sandra N. Kaplan, USC

4. There’s a fire starting in my heart Go
ahead and sell me out and I’ll lay your
ship bare The scars of your love
remind me of us We could’ve had it
all rolling in the deep You had my
heart inside your hand and you
played it to the beat I’m gonna make
your head burn Think of me in the
depths of your despair Throw your
soul through every open door Count
your blessings to find what you look
for Turn my sorrow into treasured
gold
Sandra N. Kaplan, USC

5. You, with your words like knives and
swords and weapons that you use
against me You have knocked me off
my feet again Got me feeling like a
nothing You, with your voice like
nails on chalkboard You can take me
down with just one single blow You
with your switching sides and your
wildfire lies and your humiliation
Somebody made you cold Cause
you can’t lead me down that road
Sandra N. Kaplan, USC

6. Do you ever feel like a plastic bag,
drifting through the wind Do you
ever feel you’re so paper thin, like a
house of cards, one blow from caving
in? Do you ever feel already buried
deep? You’ve just gotta ignite the
light and let it shine Just own the
night like the fourth of July Cause
baby you’re a firework Come on let
your colors burst Maybe a reason
why all the doors are closed so you
could choose the one that leads you
down the perfect road Like a
lightning bolt, your heart will glow
Sandra N. Kaplan, USC

7. My heart’s a stereo, it beats for you
so listen close Hear my thoughts in
every note Make me your radio and
turn me up when you feel low This
melody was meant for you, so sing
along to my stereo If I was just
another record on the shelf, would
you blow me off and play me like
everybody else? Furthermore I
apologize for any skipping tracks, its
just that the last girl that played me
left a couple cracks Holding
grudges over love is ancient
artifacts Keep me stuck inside your
head like your favorite tune
Sandra N. Kaplan, USC

8. It’s been a really really messed up
week Seven days of torture, seven
days of bitter And my girlfriend went
and cheated on me
She’s a California dime but it’s time
for me to quit her La la la, whatever,
la la la, it doesn’t matter, la la la, oh
well, la la la
We’re going at it tonight tonight
There’s a party on the rooftop top of
the world Tonight tonight and were
dancing on the edge of the Hollywood
sign I don’t know if I’ll make it but
watch how good I’ll fake it It’s all
right, all right, tonight, tonight
Sandra N. Kaplan, USC