1. Topic-
The Poetry of Sylvia Plath
 
2. Content-
Sylvia Plath
 
3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-
1. Enable the better understanding of poetry by students.
2. Enable the realization that mental illness does not mean incapability.
3. Realize the expressive ability poetry can give someone with a lack of other outlets, and how that is not a bad thing.
 
4. Objectives-
1. Students should be able to decipher and devise meaning from poetry
2. Express their interpretation clearly
3. Alter perceptions if new information is provided that directly contradicts viewpoint, or
4. Continue to argue their interpretation coherently.
 
5. Materials and Aids-
Book Ariel, unabridged
 
6. Procedures/Methods-

A. Introduction-

1. Brief review of how to read poetry
2. Ask if students have ever heard of Sylvia Plath
3. Explain basic biographical information on Sylvia Plath
 

B. Development-

1. Deeper into depth on Sylvia Plath's life, including attitudes towards her children
2. Depression and how it is treated, how that treatment proceeds.
3. Tell class to try and view poetry through that lens.
 

C. Practice-

1. Group discussion of selected poem
2. Group presentation of poem's interpretation
3. Perhaps in-class poetry writing.
 

D. Independent Practice-

1. Individual presentation on a piece of symbolism present
2. Paper on a poem of their choice, or some aspect of her poetry
3. In-class quiz
 

E. Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction)-

1. Poems read aloud for those with difficulty reading
2. Information 'cheat sheets', so those who learn by listening don't have to try to write and listen at the same time.
3. Allow verbal presentation at designated time for those with problems
 

F. Checking for understanding-

1. Paper on a poem of their choice, or some aspect of her poetry
2. In-class quiz
3. Randomly asking questions of students.
 

G. Closure-

1. Ask students how they feel about poetry now, and how they think mental illness can affect it.
2. State pride in students, Plath is a difficult subject.
 
7. Evaluation-
1. Able to read and discuss poems, with or without relation to the author's life and intentions
2. Able to write a coherent paper on the subject.
 

This Lesson Plan is available at (www.teacherjet.com)