During Reading
Use What You Know
1. Listen as your teacher reads through the poem once. Remember that Lucinda Matlock is the speaker. Jot down your first impressions of her, based on what you hear.
2. Read through the poem on your own. As you read, think about how Lucinda Matlock feels about her life. In your journal, take notes comparing her feelings to those of the person you wrote about in the Before-Reading activity.
Fix-Up Idea: Think Aloud
After listening to the selection once, practice reading the selection aloud with a partner. As you read, remember that Lucinda Matlock is the speaker. She lived to be ninety-six and is telling of her life from the grave. Read until you come to a period. Then stop and do a think aloud with your partner. Talk about what you learn about the speaker directly, what you can infer or imagine about her based on what she says, and how you feel toward her. Then have your partner read to the next period. Again stop and think aloud. Continue in this way until you have finished the poem.