Fifth Grade Poetry Lesson: Imitating the Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
#TheLoveSongOfJAlfredPrufrock was my 10YO’s and my literary lesson today (‘Wellness Wednesday’ for virtual public school). It just kinda happened because, as we were leaving the house this AM, K said, "Let us go then, you and I." I have been using this phrase for years to signal to the kids that we are finally leaving. Today K sat through my entire reading of "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" and actually discussed it a bit afterwards - particularly metaphors and similes, which he has been learning in school. This is probably my favorite stanza, though I’m adding “Oh, do not ask, “What is it?” Let us go and make our visit,” to my repertoire . Here’s a link to the full poem: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/.../the-love-song-of-j....
.
.
My son and I *worked together* to come up with a poem that follows the rhythm of the first stanza of Alfred Prufrock and that repeats the opening words in the same place and incorporates a simile in the first three lines, as does T.S. Eliot’s poem. K had fun for the most part. He wanted to be done about halfway through, but he likes the finished product- the last lines especially, which show how much we were *done* by the end. All in all, a very worthwhile endeavor for both of us.
.
.
Melissa Bunin Rooney is a children's author, freelance writer and editor, 2nd-generation Polish-Lithuanian immigrant; Southerner; Woman in Science (Ph.D. Chemistry); Australian-U.S. citizen; and Soil and Water Conservationist. She provides hands-on STEM and literary workshops for schools and organizations as well as scientific and literary editing services for businesses, universities, non-profits, and other institutions.