The Sonnet Project

Each group will be given a sonnet and you will do a dramatic interpretation of the sonnet using tableaus.

A tableau is a staged and frozen picture that is created by people to express the imagery of the sonnet.

example tableau – “Snowhite”

Your group will do one for each stanza to express the sonnet. So yes, you will do 4 tableaus.

Memorize the poem and recite with enthusiasm

Create a say/mean/matter relating to the theme statement of the sonnet.

  1. Google slides:
  2. Name/number of sonnet with a 3-5 sentence summary
  3. Say/Mean/Matter (2-3 slides)
  4. Tableaus – 2-3 people recite the MEMORIZED poem and the rest produce the tableaus.
  5. You will create one for each stanza
  6. Hold for 3 seconds (the speakers will pause between each stanza)
  7. The class needs to be clear about what you are doing
  8. Be creative!

Grades:

  1. Say/mean/matter
  2. Memorized sonnet recited with enthusiasm
  3. Tableaus
  4. Group work and preparation (peer grade)

The Sonnet Project - Say/Mean/Matter – Levine – ELA 9

Say / Mean / Matter
What does the text say?
Entire sonnet / What does the text mean?
Read between the lines. Explain what the sonnet is REALLY saying. (subtext) Identify any figurative language devices (simile, metaphor, personification, imagery, etc.) used and explain how it is used. / What does it matter to the theme statement?
How does the figurative
language connect to the
theme statement?
Use evidence to explain.
CATEGORY / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1
Preparedness / Brings needed materials to class and is always ready to work. Works well as a group. Everyone participates; everyone is a part of the end creation. / Almost always brings needed materials to class and is ready to work. Almost always works well as a group. Most of the time, Everyone participates; everyone is a part of the end creation. / Almost always brings needed materials but sometimes needs to settle down and get to work. Is a bit distracted, annoys others and needs reminders to stay on task. The group does not work well together and not everyone participates. / Often forgets needed materials or is rarely ready to get to work. Distracted, annoys others, goes to other groups, doesn\'t stay on task. Ugh.
Say/Mean/Matter / The mean: Identified all of the figurative language and explains what all of it means. The matter: Connects to the theme statement. Theme statement is a sentence. / The mean: Identified most of the figurative language and explains what most of it means. The matter: Connects to the theme statement. Theme statement is a sentence. / The mean: Identified some of the figurative language and explains what some of it means. The matter: Doesn\'t connect to the theme statement. Theme statement is a word. / The mean: Identified none of the figurative language and didn\'t explain anything The matter: Doesn\'t connect and theme is a word.
Memorized sonnet / Completely memorized and recited with enthusiasm. / Almost completely memorized and recited with some enthusiasm. / Some of it memorized and recited with little enthusiasm. / Read poem. No enthusiasm.
Tableaus / Four tableaus were created and frozen perfectly. Image made sense. It was rehearsed. / Three tableaus were created and frozen for most of it. Image mostly made sense. It was rehearsed. / Two tableaus were created and frozen for some of it. Giggles from the students. Image made some sense. It was not rehearsed. / Didn\'t do much.