“A Dream Deferred”by Langston Hughes What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry uplike a raisin in the sun?Or fester like a sore--And then run?Does it stink like rotten meat?Or crust and sugar over--like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sagslike a heavy load. Or does it explode?

Class Discussion Questions:

What do you notice about this piece?

Which topics does Hughes write about?eg: Hughes writes about dreams

“Negro Speaks of Rivers”By Langston HughesI've known rivers:I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than theflow of human blood in human veins.My soul has grown deep like the rivers.I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincolnwent down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddybosom turn all golden in the sunset.I've known rivers:Ancient, dusky rivers.My soul has grown deep like the rivers. 

1. At your tables, read this poem.2. Discuss this poem the same way we

did as a class for the first poem.• What do you notice about this

piece?• Which topic does Hughes write

about?• How do you know that? What

language points to that topic?

Directions:At your tables, write one thematic statement connecting the two Hughes’ poems on the mini whiteboards.

Eg: Hughes symbolizes slavery with rivers in order to exemplify the ancient and ongoing nature of racism and slavery in human history and current day.

Hold up your table’s thematic statement, and we will revise it as a class.

Directions:

-Choose a topic to write about.*dog, summer vacation, favorite quiet

place, worst day ever, etc…-In your journals, write a poem about your topic.-You must write at least 10 lines.-You must include at least one simile.*-You must include at least one example of alliteration.*-You must include at least one example of repetition.*-Be prepared to share these with the class.