Kevin S. Miller
Objective:
To introduce the students to the art of listening to other people share their writings.
To expose them to African-American poetry.
Materials:
Overhead prosector, screen, chart paper, color markers, tape, book of choice, chair(special in some kind of way), blackboard and chalk.
Procedure:
1. Put the Poem
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“We Real Cool” or any poem written by an African-American on the board.
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“We Real Cool”
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We real cool. We
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Left school. We
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Lurk late. We
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Strike straight. We
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Sing sin. We
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Jazz June. We
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Die soon.
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—Unknown Author
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I, too, sing America
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I am the darker brother.
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They send me to eat in the kitchen.
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When company comes,
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But I laugh
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And eat well
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And grow strong.
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Tomorrow,
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I’ll sit at the table
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When the company comes.
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Nobody ‘ll dare
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Say to me,
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“Eat in the kitchen,”
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Then.
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Besides,
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They’ll see how beautiful I am
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And be ashamed-
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I, too, am American.
—Langston Hughes
2 Read the poems to the class.
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3. On the blackboard write the letters P.Q.S. Then explain the letters on the board represent the words praise, question, and suggestion respectively. Tell the students that if they want to comment on the poems they must either give a praise, ask a question, and/or give a suggestion.
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4. Write a mix of sentences on the board that give a praise, ask a question and makes a suggestion.
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5. Have the students identify the different sentences.
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6. Brainstorm with the students to come up with a “Question Words Chart”. Explain that it will be posted in the room as a reference tool.
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7. Place the “special” chair in the front of the room. Tell the student that the special chair is called the Author’s Chair and who ever sits in it has the whole class undivided attention. Explain to the students that each one of them will have an opportunity to read one of their works while sitting in the chair. Remind them that in order to comment on a person’s work they must use the P.Q.S. system.
3. Read one chapter of a book you have selected.
9. Ask the students to use the P.Q.S. system to review the chapter.
Closure:
Each student must prepare a poem to read in the Author’s Chair
