ELA 12th Grade Formative Assessment--Poem, Audio, RL.5 & RL.6

Last updated about 3 years ago

4 questions

Note from the author:

Students read and listen to audio of the poem "Small Kindnesses" by Danusha Laméris and then answer three questions demonstrating their grasp of its literal and implied meanings, as well as structural elements. Students are also invited to develop their own poem inspired by Laméris as an optional assignment. Check out examples from other students here: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/28/learning/small-kindnesses-poem.html

Instructions

Today you will listen and read along to a poem called "Small Kindnesses" and then answer three questions to show how you understand the poet's point of view by analyzing specific lines from the text.

Required

This poem is about...

Required

Which phrase below reveals that Laméris is writing about something much bigger than everyday politeness?

We have so little of each other, now. So far from tribe and fire. Only these brief moments of exchange.

Required

After listing ways that people are kind to each other, Laméris asks us if these small actions are actually "the true dwelling of the holy."

Decide which examples from the poem below are small kindnesses and which are examples of being holy, or spiritual.

Saying "bless you" when someone sneezes.
Helping to pick up items that fell from a grocery bag.
Pulling in your legs for people to walk past you.
Not wanting to harm each other.
Telling people you like something about them.
A waitress calling you honey.
Hoping someone doesn't get sick and die.
Letting another car pass in front of your car.

Example of a small kindness
Example of being holy or spirituality

Now it is time to try composing a poem of your own, inspired by the work of Danusha Laméris. Start with the same first line and add your own examples of "small kindnesses" from your life.

I've been thinking about the way, when you....

ELA 12th Grade Formative Assessment--Poem, Audio, RL.5 & RL.6

This poem is about...

Which phrase below reveals that Laméris is writing about something much bigger than everyday politeness?

After listing ways that people are kind to each other, Laméris asks us if these small actions are actually "the true dwelling of the holy." Decide which examples from the poem below are small kindnesses and which are examples of being holy, or spiritual.

Now it is time to try composing a poem of your own, inspired by the work of Danusha Laméris. Start with the same first line and add your own examples of "small kindnesses" from your life. I've been thinking about the way, when you....

After listing ways that people are kind to each other, Laméris asks us if these small actions are actually "the true dwelling of the holy."

Decide which examples from the poem below are small kindnesses and which are examples of being holy, or spiritual.

Now it is time to try composing a poem of your own, inspired by the work of Danusha Laméris. Start with the same first line and add your own examples of "small kindnesses" from your life.

I've been thinking about the way, when you....