Christmas Poetry Unit - Lesson 3 - Imagery PowerPoint

The third lesson in the Christmas Poetry Unit introduces students to the concept of imagery, particularly focusing on the classic festive poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'. Imagery is the key element that breathes life into poetry, enabling readers to vividly imagine the scenes and emotions conveyed by the poet. The lesson begins with a visual clue-based activity where students are encouraged to guess the poem that they will be studying. Once identified, the students delve into the rich imagery of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas', examining how the poet, Clement Clarke Moore, uses descriptive language to paint a lively and enchanting Christmas scene.

After reading the poem, students are prompted to discuss its rhyme scheme, rhythm, tone, and the narrative nature of the poem. They are also tasked with identifying and appreciating the use of similes, a figure of speech that compares two different things, enhancing the descriptive quality of the writing. The lesson further explores the creation of similes, challenging students to craft their own imaginative comparisons while avoiding clichés. They practice this skill by describing winter-related items such as a frozen pond, an ancient tree, and an icicle. Finally, students share their similes with the class, offering and receiving constructive feedback, thus honing their ability to use similes effectively to create compelling imagery in poetry.