Today I provided instruction on how poetic techniques such as structure, metaphor, alliteration , and enjambment convey or create meaning. Using a poem from Max's required list of poetry, I first listed the poem's overarching message about past/present/ sickness /health and explained how these ideas are evidenced in contrasting juxtaposed diction within the poem. I further explained poetic enjambment and how the poem's flowing from line to line and stanza to stanza represents how seamlessly health can become sickness., life can become death.We also analyzed the poem's use of metaphors , such as an" avalanche" to suggest that these changes in life are ineluctable .
We started with practice problems from his review book to see which topics we needed to review. We ended up going over ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding. We also reviewed the Law of Conservation of Mass.
Using one of the poems that will be on Max's upcoming test, I provided instruction on poetry interpretation ,specifically how to write an essay that interprets a poem and demonstrates how certain poetic techniques contribute to meaning. We first discussed the overarching theme or message the poem. I then analyzed the poem's structure and meter and offered interpretations as to how the lyrical structure and meter add meaning by contrasting with the poem's solemn message about the fragility of life and health. We also began to study how repetition of certain words can convey meaning and suggest symbolism.
For our first test prep session we discussed the scope and nature of the IGCSE Literature and Language test and identified the literary works that we know will be tested: certain poems, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Antony and Cleopatra. Max then shared some of the notes and essays that he has written in London over the past weeks so I could better understand the areas and skills we need to focus on over the next two weeks.
