How to understand poetry – high school English lesson

High School English – Episode #96
Want to improve your English reading and writing skills? I’m here to help! My name’s Laura Randazzo and I’m a high school English teacher with more than 20 years of experience. I’ll be here three times a week this academic year to share lessons on the following:
Mondays = Mechanics, usage, and grammar (MUG shot Mondays)
Wednesdays = SAT-level vocabulary (Words on Wednesdays)
Fridays = A wide range of skill builders (Freestyle Fridays)


Click here to grab this How to Read a Poem slide deck and practice materials:

Want a four-week poetry unit for high school classes? Click here:

Music used with permission:
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Credit for apple, bell, thumbs-up, and slide deck clip art/images: Pixabay, Public domain

[josenunez]

step 1: Don't panic! you are not going to understand it the first time!
step 2: Read the title think what it might be about.
step 3: Read the poem all the way through without stopping. This is to get a general understanding of the poem.
step 4: Annotate parts of the poem that might seem confusing, that you understand, or what might be important
step 5: Look up words you dont know.
step 6: Identify the narrator or anything about the narrator and what they want us to learn
step 7: Note any changes or shifts in the poem. ie "however..." "but..." words after are usually the point of the poem
step 8: Note the structure/ryhme scheme.
step 9: After you have completed all of the steps to understand the poem, read it one more time.

[itsss_riri]

Same i don’t understand poetry especially the language and secret codes they say 😂😂

[emiliawilson]

The introduction of this video is too damn relatable 😂😂❤

[lifewithfelicia]

You can watch this video a thousand times an never get bored

[IsaacAiden]

That was very helpful miss randazzo I've been struggling with poetry for so long and this helped me out alot thank you very much.

[Albaby]

An excellent how-to video. These can be lifesavers to teachers who just aren't "great" at poetry...

[bruceinoregon]

I've read that poetry is meant to/needs to be spoken/recited or even sung, as was the case for many centuries when it served as entertainment for people that weren't musicians.

[ashleystanley]

This is very similar to the system that I use. The biggest step is #1 - show no fear. That is the hurdle that is hardest to get the students past.

[MissTaken]

Poetry has always confused me. Yet here I am, back in school at 50 and I gotta finally take charge of this and figure it out. So thanks bunches for this! Laying the groundwork, WORKED!! ;)

[adomati-myfh]

This greatly helps for generations of poetry. wow

[exotic]

3:13 Ok so circle the whole poem. Gotcha

[islandgirlmija]

I’m here for school this was sooo helpful and funny🤣😭

[xanity]

I had 9 english teachers and youre the best so far 😂

[joshuahelf]

I feel like poetry was made when someone was trying to write a story while drunk.

[cr]

I love your videos! I may have already commented and said this, but your videos validate what I have done and inspire me to do more! It is so great to know that I am ~probably~ not doing it wrong. Thank you. 🤗

[LCG.Fortnite]

Thanks helped me with my english! (in 6th grade)

[dydya]

Thank you so much for making this video 🙂 I like it so much

[shannonewan]

This is amazing! I am entering one of my final practicums soon and have to teach poetry for the first time. Are there any poems you would recommend I start with using these steps? I am teaching English 9! :)

[apollosun]

Thing about these videos, in just 6 minutes you get a week's worth of 45 minute traditional schooling.

[WyMustIGo]

As I have gone alone in there
And with my treasures bold,
I can keep my secret where,
And hint of riches new and old.

Begin it where warm waters halt
And take it in the canyon down,
Not far, but too far to walk.
Put in below the home of Brown.

From there it’s no place for the meek,
The end is ever drawing nigh;
There’ll be no paddle up your creek,
Just heavy loads and water high.

If you’ve been wise and found the blaze,
Look quickly down, your quest to cease,
But tarry scant with marvel gaze,
Just take the chest and go in peace.

So why is it that I must go
And leave my trove for all to seek?
The answers I already know,
I’ve done it tired, and now I’m weak.

So hear me all and listen good,
Your effort will be worth the cold.
If you are brave and in the wood
I give you title to the gold.