Unit Plan Overview

Subject: Robert Burns and His Poetry Grade: Primary 4 Duration: 3 Weeks

Week 1 Objective: To introduce the students to Robert Burns and his poetry

Monday:

-Review student’s prior knowledge about Scotland and poets -Introduce Robert Burns and discuss how his work reflects his life and Scottish culture -Discuss common themes in his poetry

Tuesday:

-Introduce basic poetic terms (stanza, rhyme, meter, etc) -Read some of Burns’ poetry to inspire student composition

Wednesday/Thursday:

-Discuss Burns’ stylistic conventions and their influence on his works -Facilitate student poem compositions -Introduce the concept of traditional Scottish meter and form

Friday:

-Evaluate student writing, providing feedback and guidance -Invite a local Burns-themed performance to the class

Week 2 Objective: To continue exploring Burns’ work and explore traditions of old

Monday:

-Review Burns’ poetry and discuss how it continues to be relevant today -Discuss the tradition behind Burns’ suppers and address the history and etiquette surrounding them -Students will learn about the traditional ceremonial occasions as related to Burns’ works

Tuesday:

-Recreate a Burns’ Supper, taking turns reading poems in turns -Allow students to lead the celebration and encourage them to wear traditional Scottish attire

Wednesday/Thursday:

-Introduce students to the notion of dialect as used by Burns and others. -Showcase examples from literature and from the language in everyday life -Allow each student to write a short poem in dialect

Friday:

-Provide the students with an opportunity to share the dialect poems with their peers -Invite outside experts (professors, poets, etc.) to evaluate their work

Week 3 Objective: To learn about Burns’ influence and produce a culturally inspired project

Monday:

-Choose a poem from Burns’ work to focus on -Break it down into sections and analyze creatively

Tuesday:

-Identify ways in which Burns’ poetry has been influential -Discuss how his work continues to effect the Scottish culture in the 21st century

Wednesday/Thursday:

-Brainstorm and produce a culturally inspired project based on Burns’s works. -For example, students may create a song, a video, a dance or mural

Friday:

-Present the final project to the class -Discuss the findings of the project and offer feedback to each other -Certify a celebratory feast or Burns’ supper to thank the students for their hard work