Page 49 - Point 5 Literature Program Option 1 Teachers Guide (2) (1)

7. a. sun – dreams
b. the wall – social oppression, racism
c. shadow – a place of despair and defeat
d. dark hands – finding the strength to overcome

8. a. Students’ answers will vary. They need to show that they understand the poem well and can apply aspects to
their own lives in a relevant and meaningful way.
b. Students’ answers will vary, depending on their personal experiences and their knowledge. They should bring
out the aspect of discrimination against ethnic minorities throughout the world.
9. Students’ answers may vary. Accept justified answers.

Let’s Think – Making connections
Questions 8 and 9 apply the HoTs of Making connections. after reviewing their answers,
which involve a personal response, work through and complete the Let’s Think activity inductively
with the students.

Bridging Text and Context
students are given information about the rise of african-american culture as a protest against racial
discrimination and must show in their answers that they realize this. Use rubric 3 on page 88 to
mark written answers.
Answers might include:
1. I understand that African Americans were still being oppressed at the time that Langston Hughes was writing.
Perhaps if he had been living and writing on his own, he might not have felt so strongly and might not have
been able to write the message we see in the poem. But probably the fact many artists and writers, including
Hughes, were working and creating together in Harlem, gave them a sense of cultural pride and social strength.
This would enable Hughes to send the message of hope and determination to fight back that is expressed in this
poem.

Post-Reading Activity
let students choose one of these activities. Use rubric 4 on page 88 to mark written answers.

Reflection
students answer these questions orally in groups.

Summative Assessment
Photocopy page 50 and have students answer the questions in class. decide if you wish to let them
look at the text of the poem in their coursebook.

Possible answers appear on page 51 of this guide, but remember to accept any well justified responses.

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