Grade 8 Does Speech Matter Lesson Seed 3 Comparison

Day 1 Task 1

  • We will read the poem, Ballad of Booker T. by Langston Hughes.
  • We will translate the poem into our own words.
  • We will work in groups to identify the central idea(s) in the poem.
  • We will identify at words, symbols, and phrases that help identify the central ideas.
  • We will discuss the following questions:

o   What words does the poet use to describe Booker T. Washington?
o   How do the words, symbols, or phrases identify the central idea(s) in the text?
o   What does the poet mean in the lines, “Train your head, Your heart, and your hand?”
o   Why does the poet refer to Booker T. Washington as a practical man two times in the poem?
o   Why does the poet repeat several words and phrases in the poem?
o   Metaphorically, what does the “workman’s tool” represent?