Activity Overview
In this activity, students will identify and illustrate the tone in the text.
Example 1: Horror
“And the meeting-house windows,
blank and bare,
Gaze at him with a spectral glare,
As if they already stood aghast
At the bloody work they would look upon”
Example 2: Gloomy
“A phantom ship, with each mast and spar
Across the moon like a prison bar,”
Example 3: Hopeful
“The fate of a nation was riding that night;
And the spark struck out
by that steed, in his flight,
Kindled the land into flame with its heat.”
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard identifying the tone of "Paul Revere's Ride" with text examples.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify three different tones in the poem and put quotes that relate to it in the description.
- Illustrate each example with appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | Three different tones have been identified. The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | Two different tones have been identified. The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | One or no tones have been identified. The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
Activity Overview
In this activity, students will identify and illustrate the tone in the text.
Example 1: Horror
“And the meeting-house windows,
blank and bare,
Gaze at him with a spectral glare,
As if they already stood aghast
At the bloody work they would look upon”
Example 2: Gloomy
“A phantom ship, with each mast and spar
Across the moon like a prison bar,”
Example 3: Hopeful
“The fate of a nation was riding that night;
And the spark struck out
by that steed, in his flight,
Kindled the land into flame with its heat.”
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard identifying the tone of "Paul Revere's Ride" with text examples.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify three different tones in the poem and put quotes that relate to it in the description.
- Illustrate each example with appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | Three different tones have been identified. The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | Two different tones have been identified. The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | One or no tones have been identified. The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How Tos about Tone of \"Paul Revere\'s Ride\"
Engage students in a collaborative tone analysis discussion
Foster teamwork by having students discuss different tones they find in the poem with a partner or small group. This activity encourages active listening and helps students see multiple perspectives as they work together to identify and support their tone choices with evidence from the text.
Guide students to select supporting quotes together
Encourage students to search for quotes as a team that showcase various tones in the poem. Group collaboration helps students build critical thinking skills as they justify their selections and explain their reasoning to peers.
Model how to connect illustrations to tone
Demonstrate drawing or choosing images that match the feeling of a quote. Visual connections reinforce comprehension and help students express tone beyond words.
Facilitate sharing and reflection
Invite groups to present their storyboards and explain how their illustrations and quotes represent the tone. This step encourages speaking skills and allows the class to compare interpretations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tone of \"Paul Revere\'s Ride\"
What is the tone of "Paul Revere's Ride"?
The tone of "Paul Revere's Ride" shifts throughout the poem, including feelings of horror, gloom, and hope. These tones reflect the tension, fear, and eventual optimism of the historical event.
How can students identify the tone in a poem like "Paul Revere's Ride"?
Students can identify tone by looking for descriptive language, emotional words, and imagery in the poem. They should connect these clues to the mood the author creates, using direct quotes as evidence.
What are some examples of different tones in "Paul Revere's Ride"?
Examples of tone in the poem include horror ("spectral glare"), gloom ("phantom ship"), and hope ("the spark struck out by that steed"). These lines show how the mood changes.
Why is understanding tone important when teaching poetry to grades 4-5?
Understanding tone helps students connect with the poem's emotions, improves their reading comprehension, and encourages deeper analysis of the author's intent, which is essential for developing literacy skills.
What is an easy classroom activity for teaching tone using "Paul Revere's Ride"?
An effective activity is creating a storyboard where students identify three tones, add quotes for each, and illustrate scenes. This makes abstract concepts concrete and engages visual learners.
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