Before Reading
Begin to Picture What May Happen
Think about the title of this poem, which comes from a longer line that means "it is sweet and proper to die for your country." Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Do a quickwrite of images you would use to support or refute this idea.
During Reading
Create Mind Pictures
1. Listen as your teacher reads the first eight lines of the poem. Begin to create a mind movie as you listen. Then create quick sketches that show what you see. What mood do these lines create in you? Jot down a word that captures your mood.
2. Continue reading on your own. As you read, continue making a mind movie and sketching images that are important. Don't worry about the attractiveness of what you draw; just make quick drawings that will help you track your thoughts as you read the poem. When you are done, write a brief explanation next to each sketch.
Fix-Up Idea: Use Guided Reading Questions
If you have trouble following the selection or identifying main ideas, go back and answer the Guided Reading Questions. These questions will help you focus on main ideas or events in the selection.
After Reading
Share Your Mind Pictures
Share your sketches with your group and describe in your own words the mind movie you made. Remember it is okay to have a different mind movie, but if you have different images from others in your group, look at the section of the poem that helped you create a particular picture. Explain why those words or lines led you to your mind images.