Dear Basketball/Literary Devices

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

7

Overview

In this learning activity, students will be introduced to literary devices used in poetry through the video, Poetic Devices Defined. Then, students will define and give an example of a literary device at random by spinning a digital wheel. Finally, students will share their definitions and examples with the class through a carousel around the room.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Phase

Before/Engage

English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 7

ELA21.7.4
Evaluate literary devices to support interpretations of literary texts using textual evidence, including simile, metaphor, personification, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, imagery, tone, symbolism, irony, and mood.

Vocabulary

Literary devices
Literary texts
Textual evidence
Simile
Metaphor
Personification
Onomatopoeia
Hyperbole
Imagery
Tone
Symbolism
Irony
Mood

Knowledge

Students know:

Authors of literary texts, such as prose and poetry, often include literary devices and figurative language to create a particular tone and mood.
Evaluating literary devices that are used in a text can support a personal interpretation of a text.

Skills

Students are able to:

Identify literary devices in literary texts, including simile, metaphor, personification, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, imagery, tone, symbolism, irony, and mood.
Evaluate how an author's use of literary devices supports an interpretation of the text.
Cite evidence from the text to support their evaluations.

Understanding

Students understand that:

Authors use figurative language and literary devices to develop tone and mood in their writing.
Literary devices contribute to the literal and/or figurative interpretation of a text.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to evaluate literary devices in Dear Basketball by Kobe Bryant using textual evidence including metaphor, personification, imagery, hyperbole, alliteration, and rhyme.

Activity Details

1. The teacher will show the video, Poetic Devices Defined.

2. As a fun way to test the students' knowledge of literary devices, the teacher will use a digital wheel. The teacher will visit the website and allow students to "spin" the wheel to choose a literary device at random. Students will find one example of the literary device they choose from the poem Dear Basketball by Kobe Bryant.

3. Student examples of literary devices from the poem are to be written on a sticky note, posted around the room, and shared with everyone through a carousel walk around the room.

(No prior knowledge of literary devices is required for this learning activity. )

Assessment Strategies

The students will be assessed on the accuracy of their example of the literary device they randomly choose when spinning the digital wheel.

Variation Tips

The teacher can use any type of random picker to choose which literary device each student will define and give an example.

Other variations: students can add an illustration with their definition and example.

Background / Preparation

The teacher will need to prescreen the video prior to showing it in the classroom to ensure it is not blocked by school security.

Learning Activity (Before)

Dear Basketball/Literary Devices

Learning Activity (During)

Dear Basketball/Poem Analysis

Learning Activity (After)

Dear Basketball/Create Your Own Poem

https://youtu.be/qn4P3tvKNAg

Approved Date

2022-06-21

Owner (Author)

mgsaboyd

Design by Adaptive Theme