Look closely at this gallery of images of Auguste Rodin’s sculptures.
The following activities and questions are designed to help your students use their noticing skills to move through the poem and develop their thinking skills so they understand its meaning with confidence, using what they’ve noticed as evidence for their interpretations. Read more about the framework upon which these activities are based.
-
Warm-up: Look closely at this gallery of images of Auguste Rodin’s sculptures. What do you notice about the hands? Which images in particular stand out to you and why? What do our hands represent? Why?
-
Before Reading the Poem: Watch the Ted-Ed video, “How did Polynesian wayfinders navigate the Pacific Ocean?” As you watch, write down three things you learned. Then join with a partner or small group and share what you learned. What questions, if any, do you have about the video?
-
Reading the Poem: Silently read the poem “By Your Hand” by Haʻåni Lucia Falo San Nicolas. What do you notice about the poem? Note any words or phrases that stand out to you or any questions you might have.
-
Listening to the Poem: Enlist two volunteers and listen as the poem is read aloud twice. Write down any additional words and phrases that stand out to you. You might enjoy listening to the poet read the poem.
-
Small Group Discussion: Share what you noticed about the poem with a small group. Based on the details you just shared, how does the poem connect to the resources from the beginning of class? What imagery stood out to you in the poem? Why? What does the imagery tell you about how the speaker feels about the beloved?
-
Whole Class Discussion: What do you think of the title, “By Your Hand”? What might the hand symbolize in the poem? Why? How does the poem connect to culture and/or ancestors?
-
Extension for Grades 7-8: (Teachers, it might be fun to involve other classes or staff for this activity. You may also want to print some additional poems for students.) In honor of Valentine’s Day, read more love poems. Choose one or two poems and print them out, or ask your teacher for assistance. Bring these poems to class to participate in a poem swap in which you will meet to discuss and exchange poems and ideas. Join with a partner. Read your poems and share why you liked them. Swap one poem with your partner and continue the process with your remaining poem selections. At the end, share with your class how this felt. What poems and ideas did you learn? What was the most interesting line or idea that you heard today? Why?
- Extension for Grades 9-12: This Valentine’s Day, how might you honor your ancestors and/or background? Do some research into your personal background. Then, try writing a poem that embodies something learned. Share your writing with the class.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, find classic and contemporary poems about love and friendship that are appropriate for young people.
Lyric poetry: a non-narrative poem, often with songlike qualities, that expresses the speaker’s personal emotions and feelings.