"A Dream Deferred," by Langston Hughes - Poetry Lesson

This multi-media Common Core-aligned mini lesson is designed to help students read "A Dream Deferred" closely. This is great as a stand-alone lesson plan or can be used in conjunction with A Raisin in the Sun.

This is an editable .doc file that you can customize to meet your needs.

Students read the poem (included) and then view several YouTube versions of the poem (including the Sanya Richards-Ross Nike commercial version).

After reading, viewing, and listening, students complete a series of questions that address the following CCSS learning targets:

• I can read closely and find answers explicitly in text (right there answers) and answers that require an inference.
• I can define and identify various forms of figurative language (e.g. simile, metaphor, etc.).
• I can analyze how specific word choices build upon one another to create a cumulative impact on the overall meaning and tone of a text.
• I can closely read complex grade level texts, and I can reread a text to find more information or clarify ideas.

Students complete reading/inference questions and finish the day by composing their own versions of the poem.

Thanks for looking!