Group Presentation:

Using Poems to teach

English
Presented by:
Fetrisah@Patricia Sigumani (M20221000988)
Uvarani Ratnam (M20221001403)
Amir Hamdzan Hamzah (M20221001135)

Course:
BIS60104 Issues in Teaching & Learning Literature
 Contents
1) Pre-reading Activity
2) While-reading Activity
3) Post-reading Activity
 Pre-reading
1)
Activity
Stage 1: Pre-reading activity

Objective: To introduce students to the themes in the poem and engage their prior
knowledge and experiences.

Warm-up: Begin the lesson showing a video about the difficulties in life faced by a
hardworking mother raising a son by herself. Then ask students to reflect on a challenging
experience or obstacle they have faced in their lives. Encourage them to think about how
they persevered or overcame that obstacle. Allow a few students to share their
experiences.

Discussion: Facilitate a class discussion around the themes of resilience, perseverance,

and overcoming challenges. Encourage students to connect their personal experiences
with these themes. Show pictures to help students get ideas.

Introduce the poem: Provide a brief background about Langston Hughes and his
significance as a poet. Explain that you will be reading his poem "Mother to Son," which
explores similar themes. Share the poem's title and ask students to make predictions about
its meaning based on the title alone.
https://youtu.be/j82iHQFfrjc
The Poem
‘Mother to Son’
Published in America, 1922

* Students to make predictions

about its meaning based on the
title alone.
The Poet
A brief biography or informational
sheet about Langston Hughes to
provide context for the students.
This can be in the form of a handout
or a slide presentation.
Langston Hughes, in
full James Mercer Langston Hughes, (born
February 1, 1902?, Joplin, Missouri, U.S.—died May
22, 1967, New York, New York), American writer
who was an important figure in the
Harlem Renaissance and made the African American
experience the subject of his writings, which ranged
from poetry and plays to novels and newspaper
columns.
While it was long believed that Hughes was born in
1902, new research released in 2018 indicated that
he might have been born the previous year. His
parents separated soon after his birth, and he
was raised by his mother and grandmother.
After his grandmother’s death, he and his mother
moved to half a dozen cities before reaching
Cleveland, where they settled
 Set Induction
Pre-reading: (Motivation)
1.The teacher will show different pictures that shows the role of a mother.
2.Students will give words related to the picture.
3. Vocabulary Development
Students to guess the LITERAL* meaning of some words used in the poem

Examples of WORDS
1. Crystal – ?
*LITERAL = taking words in their usual or most basic
2. Tacks - ? sense without metaphor or exaggeration.
3. Splinters – ?
4. Torn up - ?
5. Bare – ?
A picture is worth a
thousand words
 HARDSHIP OF MOMS
Show pictures to help students generate ideas.

“What word(s) comes into your mind when you see the pictures?”
 While-reading
2)
Activity
Stage 2: While-reading activity

Close reading: Distribute printed copies of the poem to each student

or display the poem on a screen for all students to see. Ensure that
the text is legible and easy to read.

Annotation and analysis: Provide students with printed copies of the

poem or handouts with space for annotations. Alternatively, they can
use their own notebooks or devices for annotation purposes.

Group discussion: Assign specific stanzas or lines of the poem to

each group. Prepare handouts with the assigned sections of the poem
for each group to refer to during their discussions. Explain the
meaning of each line, phrase and word.
 Mother to Son
By: Langston Hughes
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
 USING QUESTIONS TO ANALYSE THE POEM
Prepare discussion questions related to resilience, perseverance, and overcoming
challenges. You can write these questions on the board or prepare them as
handouts to distribute to students. For example:

Question 1: Who is speaking in the poem and to whom

are the words addressed?
Question 2: What kind of life has the mother led? ...
Question 3: What does the speaker encounter on the
stairs?
Question 4: Why do you think she is telling her son about
her life in this way?
1ST IMPORTANT
FACT ABOUT
YOUR VISIT
Use this slide to add information about an
important fact about the place you are
visiting virtually.
Create a great bulleted list.
Only put a few words up here so you are not
tempted to read from the slide.
You can also include a picture on the slide to
add interest.
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been
no crystal stair
The poem begins with the mother
directly addressing her son, setting up
a conversational tone. She
immediately establishes the central
theme of the poem: the hardships and
challenges she has faced throughout
her life. The line "Life for me ain’t
been no crystal stair" is a metaphor
that suggests her life has not been
easy or straightforward. It conveys
the idea that her journey has been full
of obstacles and difficulties.
It’s had tacks
in it,
And splinters,
The mother goes on to
describe some of the
hardships she has
encountered. She mentions
"tacks," "splinters," "boards
torn up," and "places with
no carpet on the floor,"
painting a vivid picture of a
dilapidated and imperfect
staircase. These vivid
images symbolize the
difficulties, setbacks, and
lack of comfort she has
experienced in her life.
And sometimes goin’ in
the dark
Where there ain’t been
no light.
Despite the challenges, the mother emphasizes
her resilience and determination. She expresses
that throughout her life, she has continued to
climb, reach landings, and turn corners. These
actions represent her persistence and
unwavering pursuit of progress, even when
faced with darkness and uncertainty. The line
"And sometimes goin’ in the dark Where there
ain’t been no light" suggests that she has
ventured into unknown territories and faced
adversity without any guidance or support.
The mother's advice to her son is the heart of the poem. She urges him
not to give up, not to "turn back" or "set down on the steps" just because he
finds it difficult. The repetition of the word "don't" emphasizes her strong
conviction. She warns him not to falter because she is still moving forward
and persevering herself. The phrase "For I’se still goin’, honey, I’se still
climbin’" reaffirms her determination and serves as an inspiration for her
son.

Through the powerful use of metaphor, the poem captures the resilience,
strength, and determination of the African American experience. It portrays
the struggles faced by the mother as she encourages her son to keep
moving forward despite the challenges he may encounter.

Overall, "Mother to Son" is a poignant and motivational poem that

conveys the timeless message of perseverance, resilience, and the
importance of never giving up, even when life is difficult.
 VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT
Students to discuss the ACTUAL* MEANINGS of the words
1. Crystal – clear => smooth / good / easy (metaphor of life)
2. Tacks - pins / pointed metals / annoying => difficulties
(metaphor of life)
3. Splinters – wood pieces / sharp / hurting => difficulties
(extended metaphors of life)
4. Torn up - destroyed => difficulties
5. Bare – no cover (against the threats of life) => challenges
 Post-reading
3)
Activity
Stage 2: Post-reading activity

Reflective writing: Provide students with writing materials such as paper and
pens/pencils for their individual reflections. Alternatively, if students are comfortable
using digital tools, they can type their reflections on computers or tablets.

Creative response: Depending on the chosen creative activity (visual representation,

letter writing, song/rap, skit, etc.), provide the necessary materials. For example, art
supplies for visual representations, paper for letter writing, a musical instrument or
recording equipment for composing songs, and any props or scripts required for skits.

Sharing and reflection: Prepare a space in the classroom for students to display their
creative responses, such as a bulletin board, wall, or designated table. You may also
need a computer or projector to display digital creative responses. Consider having a
microphone or designated speaking area for students to present and explain their
work.
Post –reading
Post -reading
• Ask students to rewrite the poem,
changing the meaning but not the
structure.

• Ask students to write or discuss the

possible story behind the poem. Who
was it for? What led to the writing of this
poem?
 Reflections
1) Have a discussion
on issues the poem
raised and how
they relate to the
students’ lives.
2) Give a short quiz
and other activities
about the poem
 CONCLUSIONS
Despite being written almost a century ago (first published in 1922), the themes
and messages conveyed in the poem are still highly relevant in the present
time. The poem's exploration of resilience, perseverance, and the challenges of
life transcends its specific historical context and resonates with readers today.

The idea of facing obstacles, enduring hardships, and striving for a better
future remains universal and timeless. The poem's powerful imagery and the
mother's words of encouragement continue to inspire individuals of all
backgrounds and generations.

In a world that continues to present its own set of challenges and struggles, the
poem's message serves as a reminder to persevere and maintain hope even
in the face of adversity. It underscores the importance of resilience and the
determination to overcome obstacles, making it relevant and impactful in the
present day.
 A Quiz using Kahoot!

https://create.kahoot.it/share/quiz-mother-to-son-by-langston-hughes/fb0517e9-9a00-4e3d-ae4c-501fa93263fe

https://kahoot.it/?pin=254184&refer_method=link
 Activity 1
Try coloring the text box of the words that rhymes between them

House Road Glass Bee

Mouse Tree
Train Spouse Book Pen

Red Shoe Door Frog

Star Cat
Head Bread Dog Jog
 Activity 2
Search all the words below and select it coloring each one!
POETRY - RHYME - METAPHOR - STANZA - POEM - WORDS - METER

A S Q P O E T R Y U K L F C

T E M Y H R J U D S Q L Y E

J S C X Z S M E T A P H O R

L T P P O E M W E R T Y H J

K A D S W R T Y H K L O P A

Z N M F W Q U Y T N B V S D

R Z K P C A M R W O R D S P

H A B C R E T E M L N E S A
 Thanks!
Do you have any questions?

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