Beacon Lesson Plan LibraryHistory through PoetryChet GeeringDescriptionStudents will be able to analyze the poem -The Charge of the Light Brigade.- Students discuss its meaning and significance to the Crimean War. Students will also understand how war is perceived from a non-military point of view.ObjectivesThe student understands significant political developments in Europe in the 19th century.Materials-WORLD HISTORY THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2001.- Copies of short-answer questions for students (See attached file) - Pen or pencil - Copy of the poem -The Charge of the Light Brigade- - Dry Erase board - Dry erase markers - Access to copy machine Preparations1. Read text Chapter 26 (or appropriate chapter).2. Make one copy of the questions for each student. 3. Find a copy of the poem -The Charge of the Light Brigade.- (See Weblinks.) 4. Make copies of the poem for each student. Procedures1. Ask students, -What is war and how do we get our information on war?- (Answers will vary.)2. List students' answers on the board. 3. Have a student read the first stanza aloud. 4. Ask students, -What is the author telling his audience in this stanza?- (Answer: The soldiers are marching into battle. Not only are they marching into battle, they are also marching to their deaths.) 5. Ask students, -How would you feel if you were in their place?- (Answers will vary.) 6. Have a student read the second stanza aloud. 7. Ask student, -Are there any lines in this stanza that you have heard before?- (Answer: -Their's not to reason why. Their's but to do and die.-) 8. Ask students, -What did the quote in #7 mean?- (Answer: It's not the soldier's job to ask questions. The soldier needs to just do his duty.) 9. Have a student read the third stanza aloud. 10. Ask students, -If you were one of the six hundred soldiers, how would you feel? Would you continue the charge or would you run? Why?- (Answers will vary.) 11. Have a student read the fourth stanza aloud. 12. Ask students, -What is happening in this stanza?- (Answer: The British are charging straight into the Cossacks. The British officers have drawn their swords and the battle has been joined.) 13. Have a student read the fifth stanza aloud. 14. Ask students, -What has happened in this stanza?- (Answer: The battle is drawing to a close and the Light Brigade is nearly surrounded and nearly all dead.) 15. Have a student read the sixth stanza aloud. 16. Ask students, -Who won the battle?- (Answer: Russians) 17. Ask students, -What did the Light Brigade accomplish?- (Answers: From a military point of view, nothing. From a folklore point of view, they showed honor and courage in battle.) 18. Ask students, -Why is the Light Brigade remembered in history, after all they lost the battle?- (Answer: They are remembered for their courage and their conviction to their duty.) 19. Assign the short-answer questions to the students. 20. Teacher evaluates answers to the short-answer questions. Assessments1. Students will be assessed by completing a series of short-answer questions on the topics covered in class.2. The teacher can also informally evaluate the students by monitoring and encouraging their participation in class discussion. Attached FilesThe attached documents were: 1. Questions to be completed by students. 2. Copy of poem to be read in class. File Extension: pdfReturn to the Beacon Lesson Plan Library. |