On Wednesday, April 5, we TPCASTT the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. We also looked at the difference between standard and non-standard English, and how Hughes uses non-standard English to create an effect with his poetry. Please find the lesson plan and the poem below:
Lesson Plan – “Mother to Son” Standard and Non-standard English
Lesson Plan – “Mother to Son” Standard and Non-standard English
- Read the poem together as a class discussing the different steps of TPCASTT by calling on students individually in order up and down the rows of seats.
- Discuss Hughes use of non-standard English. Students should rewrite the poem changing the “incorrect” English to “correct” English
- Look at the effect of altering the language by viewing an edited version on the smart board. We will discuss the question, how is the poem diminished by changing the language.
- Students will TPCASTT the poem and finish for homework.
Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor --
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.