Jabberwocky

This is from Kelly, a student in the online course.

GRADE

9 – 12

MATERIALS; TIME REQUIRED

‘Jabberwocky’ by Lewis Carroll

25-30 minutes

PROVIDE FOR INCLUSION – A You Question, Energizer, or Linking Strategy

Thumbs up, thumbs down

Ask questions about the use of literary devices in poetry and literature…maybe even about elements in the poem, to introduce and get students prepared.

IDENTIFY THE OBJECTIVES

Content Standard: Review the format and rhythm of poetry, and parts of speech. Consider literary devices.

Collaborative: attentive listening, valuing diversity

Personal: Share personal viewpoints and appreciate others

IDENTIFY THE STRATEGY

Think-pair-share

Review the agreements before the start and then have students read the poem on their own.

Then pair them up to discuss the meaning of the poem and the meaning of Carroll’s words. What is the purpose of his “new” words. Then ask pairs to share with the group.

Have students, in pairs, decide on 2-3 literary devices Carroll uses in the poem.

(See a list of literary devices here: http://literary-devices.com

REFLECTION

Content: What similarities or differences did you share or hear your partner share, in terms of the purpose of Carroll’s ‘new’ words. How did the words influence the rhyme pattern? Which parts of speech did the ‘new’ words take on? How did the ‘new’ words help or hinder your understanding of the poem?

Collaborative: How did sharing with others help you in your interpretation?

Personal: How did it feel to share your interpretation?

PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR APPRECIATION

Give appreciations to the group (possibly for following the agreements so well) and then invite appreciations.

AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT

Ask students to think of examples of nonsense words or literary works or song lyrics that ‘have meaning’ in certain contexts. “What do we have today, to compare with this work, written in 1871?”

LEARNING COMPONENTS

Group Development Process
Cognitive Theory
Multiple Intelligences
Cooperative Learning
Constructivism
Reflective Practice
Authentic Assessment