Before Reading
Preview Organization
Read the Prereading page carefully. Then preview the selection. Think about the title. Examine the photograph on page 207. Notice the stanza breaks. Skim the footnotes, vocabulary words, and Guided Reading Questions.
During Reading
Use Organizational Features as You Read
1. Listen as your teacher reads the first stanza. Write stanza 1 on a page in your notebook. Take notes about the first stanza as your teacher reads it. Write down how you feel about a line or the stanza as a whole, what you wonder about, images you have, or experiences you have had that relate to the lines. Think about the picture as you read and use other organizational elements on the page to help you understand and interpret what you are reading.
2. Continue reading on your own. Stop after each stanza and write down your reactions. Think about what each stanza says on its own, what the stanza makes you think of, and how the stanza relates to the rest of the poem.
Fix-Up Idea: Unlock Vocabulary and Use Footnotes
If you are struggling with the meaning of words in the poem, begin by examining the Words for Everyday Use and the footnotes. Use the meanings you find there to understand more of the poem. Then when you encounter other words you do not know, try using context clues to determine meaning. Keep a list of new words and their meanings in your notebook. If you cannot guess the meanings from context, try using word parts to understand the words. If you still do not understand some of the words, use a dictionary.
After Reading
Share Your Connections
Share your notes with a partner. How did the picture help you understand the comparison the speaker was making? How did the footnotes help you understand allusions? After you answer these questions, discuss the Respond to the Selection question.