Carolyn Smith

ENG 297
ELA Multi-Skill Activity
7 April 2014
ELA Multi-Skill Activity: Written Component
Context

10th grade
Character and theme analysis of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner through the lens of
Bastilles song Weight of Living, Pt. I
Students have read The Rime of the Ancient Mariner in its completion for homework the
night before.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in
detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and
refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple
or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.7 Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in
two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey
complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection,
organization, and analysis of content.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of
collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on
grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly
and persuasively.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.3 Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of
evidence and rhetoric, identifying any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence.

ISTE Technology Standards for Teachers

1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to
facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both faceto-face and virtual environments.
Teachers:
a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
b. Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using
digital tools and resources
c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students
conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes
d. Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students,
colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments

Activity
1. Teacher will introduce the lesson, beginning with a quick class discussion with the
students about what they thought of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, which they should
have read completely the night before.
2. Teacher will give the students a handout that compares the lyrics of Bastilles Weight of
Living, Part I with selections from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
3. Students will listen to Weight of Living, Pt I. by Bastille and analyze the lyrics as they
listen, making note of the references made to The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
4. Individually, students will write a short response to the comparison of these two works,
using phrases from both to support their ideas on how Weight of Living, Pt. I enhances the
meaning of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

5. Teacher will put students in groups of 3 or 4. In these groups, students will discuss how
Bastilles lyrics enhance the meaning of The Rime of the Ancient Mariners overall
theme, and provide further insight into the development of the Mariners character.
6. As groups, students will present their ideas to the rest of the class, stimulating another
class discussion about the meaning of Weight of Living, Pt I and how it relates and
enhances the themes presented in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

Rationale
This activity will teach students the basic skills of reading, writing, listening, and
speaking by comparing two texts, especially between two texts that come from different medias
and time periods. The students will use higher thinking to connect ideas and use the message
from one text to enhance the meaning of the other. They will also practice writing skills by
writing a short analytical response, including selective quoting from both texts. This activity also
involves collaborative learning; both by having them work in small groups and by instigating full
class discussions. They will use the modern media of Weight of Living, Pt I to enhance their
understanding of the 1834 text The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, focusing on the different ways
the character of the Mariner can be viewed, and how the themes of the 19th century poem are still
applicable to the modern audience. Not only will they practice critical listening and reading as
well as analytical writing in with this activity, but also speaking as wellclass and group
discussions will encourage students to share their ideas orally with their peers. This multi-skill
activity allows students to exercise their English Language abilities while analyzing the themes
and character of a classic text through the lens of a modern piece of media that is more relatable
to the students.