FORMAT
Lesson Presentation Slides (4) with Directions
MOST APPROPRIATE FOR
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School and older
“Dreams” by Langston Hughes
“Dreams” is an excellent poem to teach at many levels since it uses clear comparisons to make a point. It is also a good springboard for students writing Dream Banners. When they do that, we often ask them to imagine a world in 20 years without a big problem that matters to them? When it’s gone, what will your world be like? What does that dream look like?
Materials you will need:
You will need a projector for the slides below or you can lead a discussion based on it after handing out a copies of the poem. (Online copy here.) It is also short enough to write on the board or a large piece of paper.
You may also want to use this video resource for talking about what “hold fast” means.
Steps:
Questions are listed on the slide. A few more prompt questions to dig into the “without” images:
- Why do birds need wings?
- What do their wings help them do?
- Why do we need dreams?
- What do our dreams help us do?
- What happens if nothing grows as in a barren field?
- What happens if we have no dreams?
What MATTERS to you?
