Lesson Overview
Museum of the Arts
GRADES 6-8 ELA AND ART
Lead a class discussion is how students make decisions when they are faced with a choice between two options. What do they place value in? What does not weigh into their decision?
Group read the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. Then divide students into four small groups. Have each small group take a stanza and synthesize what the stanza means to them into one sentence.
Lesson Process:
Step 1: As a large group, look at all of the summarized stanzas and decide on the overall essential understanding of the poem. Bring the conversation back to their beginning thoughts about making choices.
Step 2: View the video A Day in the Life that explains how museum curators make choices about what to include in their collections. How do they make their choices? Do they “take the road less traveled” or do they use pieces that are more well known? Why?
Step 3: Ask students to think about a choice they made that represented forging their own path. They must then create a way to present this choice using either visual art, drama, music, or dance. Presentations should be no more than 30 seconds.
Time Required:
30-45 minutes
Materials List:
- Paper, pencils, watercolors, clay, paint, brushes
- Access to a variety of music and instruments
- Computer, speakers, internet access
- Video: A Day in the Life
- The Road Not Taken poem
Assessment:
Synthesis of Key Concepts.
Design a rubric that measures the ability of students to synthesize details into an overarching thought. Apply the rubric to both the poetry synthesis activity and the museum presentations.
