On 9/04/09, Kali wrote:
> I'm a student and have to teach Robert Frost to my class.
> I've already decided to take the class into the forest area
> right outside the classroom because Robert Frost is known
> by his poems about nature, but I'm having trouble figuring
> out how to involve the class more. Any suggestions?

I'd say forget the forest too - they will be distracted by it
particularly if they know nothing about Frost. Frost himself
as a person is fascinating - if anyone is America's poet
Frost is.

What do they know of poetry in general? It's rather
interesting how many Americans do respond to The Road Not
Travelled. I'd start with that - it figured prominently into
a major car commericial. Ask them what it means. There are
Many interpretations of that poem - is it a hopeful poem? Or
not?

There are purists who study poetry in isolation from the poet
but I'm not one of them. I'd share with them after the poem
that Frost was manic depressive - read something of Frost.
I'm blanking on whether he took his own life. He actually is
not from a farm background that his poetry cultivated that
image for him.

Why is discussion not involving the class?? If you are
encouraging them to be active readers, they have to actively
share their thoughts. Be a circle of scholars sharing
thoughts and opinions about the poem. Then move on to his
other poems. They can try their own hand at writing in his
style. Compare Frost to others - which do they prefer?

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