Activity Title - Deeper Meanings

Goal/Objective

The students will be able to analyze parts of the poem and identify deeper meanings they may have.

Lesson Outline
Introduction

Discuss Robert Frost. Point out that he lived from 1874-1963. Explain that he won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry four times and that he was known as the voice of New England.

Activity

Give the students a copy of "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening". Have them read it silently. Then have 2 or 3 volunteers read it aloud. Have them underline any references to his horse. Ask them if the horse might represent anything else. Ask them why this might be the "darkest evening of the year". Ask if anyone might have an idea what he means by "promises to keep" and "miles to go before I sleep".

Debriefing/Evaluation Activity

Have the students write a paragraph about what they think Frost might have been saying about life.

Materials/Texts/Realia/Handouts

• Copy of "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"
• Paper and pencils

Extension Activity

Have the students try writing a short poem about some event in their life. Have volunteers read theirs to the class.

ESE/ESOL Accommodation

Divide the class into groups of two. Have the groups look at the poem and locate all the descriptive words (adjectives) in the poem.

Real - Life Connection

Tell the students that we sometimes look back on our lives and evaluate where we've been and where we are going. Have them discuss times that they have looked back to their past but had to keep going.