Romanticism Introduction/ Psalm of Life by Longfellow

Spring, 2011
Mr. Samuel Pearch
22 February 2011

Lesson Plan Curriculum Objective

Reading Applications: Literary Text 8. Analyze the authors use of point of view, mood and
tone.
Reading Applications: Literary Text 10. Describe the effect of using sound devices in literary
texts (e.g., to create rhythm, to appeal to the senses or to establish mood)

Specific Lesson Goals

Students will learn about the characteristics of Romantic period writing and apply them
to their own lives.

Students will learn about the importance of analyzing mood to understand the meaning of
a poem.

Students analyze techniques used in Longfellows Psalm of Life to establish mood.

Materials needed
Textbook, writing journal, 3-ring binders, writing utensil, loose-leaf paper, PowerPoint
presentation on mood, Exit Slip.

Instructional Strategies
1. Entry- (3 minutes) Introduce lesson objectives:
a. Vocabulary list
b. Introduction of Romanticism
c. Longfellows Psalm of Life (pg. 345)
d. Write 1-2 stanzas of our own psalms
2. Activity- (5 minutes) Introduce and review vocabulary list.
a. Review list with students
b. Assignment: Use each of the words in a sentence. Due tomorrow.

3. Transition- (5 minutes) Students discuss Whats more important in life, reason or

emotion?
4. Activity- (5 minutes) Romantic period PowerPoint presentation.
a. Imagination
b. Intuition
c. Idealism
d. Inspiration
e. Individuality
5. Transition- (3 minutes) Students share their ideas on Romantic elements.
6. Activity- (20 minutes) Elements of Romanticism Writing Stations
a. There are five stations with different prompts spread out on the countertops
around the room.
b. Students break into groups of 4.
c. Each group is assigned to start at 1 of 5 stations.
d. Each student is to record their thoughts and ideas at each station.
i. Students are required to sign their names beside their entries so that there
is a certain level of accountability for what is written.
e. Groups rotate every 4 minutes until every group has visited each station once.\.
7. Transition- (5 minutes) Students share some of their Golden Nugget ideas from
the previous activity.
8. Activity- (5 minutes) PowerPoint presentation on Mood.
a. Word choice, imagery, figurative language, sound and rhythm.
9. Transition- (3 minutes) Introduce the poem Psalm of Life by Longfellow.
a. Explain what a psalm is.
b. Discuss intuition (feeling) compared to reason.
10. Activity- (25 minutes) Read Psalm of Life round-robin style.
a. Students answer the prompts presented on the PowerPoint slide pertaining to
Mood.
b. Students will hand in their observations when they leave.
11. Closure- (10 minutes) Recap todays lesson.
a. Quickly review the elements of Romanticism.
b. Quickly review elements of mood.
c. Students complete an Exit Slip before leaving.

Homework- Complete vocabulary assignment for homework.

Formative Assessment-

R.A.L.T. 8- Student will demonstrate an understanding of the mood of the poem by identifying
the techniques used to establish mood in the poem as well as answer questions about mood in the
Exit Slip.
R.A.L.T. 10- Students will demonstrate an understanding of how rhythm effects mood by
answering questions in the in-class analysis activity.

Summative AssessmentR.A.L.T. 8&10- Students will be assessed on their understanding of mood and rhythm in the endof-unit quiz.

Reflection-