One way to increase student understanding of difficult poems is to ask them to paraphrase stanza by stanza. Storyboards can be a good way for struggling students to visualize the events in each stanza. For “A Poison Tree”, have students depict the main events of each of the four stanzas. Then, below each image, ask them to write a brief paraphrase of the stanza using proper grammar and appropriate transitional words and phrases.
The speaker tells his friend what has upset him, they work it out, and the speaker is no longer angry. The speaker doesn't tell his enemy what makes him angry. When he bottles it up, his anger increases.
The speaker imagines reasons to fear his enemy. His fears and frustrations increase his animosity. But the speaker is not honest with his enemy. He smiles at him and acts friendly, building up a deceitful relationship lacking in trust.
The speaker’s anger is like a glittering poison that attracts both the speaker and his enemy. Anger and hate become appealing to the speaker, and his enemy is fooled by his deceitful behavior.
The enemy tries to take advantage of the speaker, but the speaker is one step ahead of him. The speaker’s secret anger poisons and kills his enemy.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that paraphrases and illustrates each stanza of the poem "A Poison Tree".
Encourage students to share their paraphrases aloud and compare interpretations. This helps build confidence and reveals diverse understandings of the poem.
Work through one stanza as a group. Think aloud as you restate lines in your own words, highlighting transitional phrases and grammar tips.
Divide students into groups and give each a stanza to paraphrase. Collaboration helps students clarify tricky lines together.
Have groups exchange paraphrases and offer feedback on clarity and accuracy. Peer review encourages careful reading and revision.
Invite groups to present their storyboards to the class. Discuss how their images and words capture the poem’s meaning, reinforcing comprehension and creativity.
Paraphrasing each stanza and using storyboards to visualize events are effective ways to help students grasp the meaning of 'A Poison Tree'. Breaking the poem into manageable parts makes it easier for students to understand complex language and themes.
A simple paraphrase involves restating each stanza in your own words: 1) The speaker resolves anger with a friend but not with an enemy; 2) The speaker hides feelings and pretends friendship; 3) Anger grows and deceives; 4) The enemy is harmed by the speaker’s hidden anger.
Ask students to create a storyboard for each stanza, drawing key events and writing a brief paraphrase below each image. This visual approach supports understanding and engagement, especially for struggling readers.
Paraphrasing helps students process complex language, identify main ideas, and build confidence. It enables them to connect with the poem’s message and apply critical thinking skills.
Effective activities include paraphrasing stanzas, creating storyboards, discussing character emotions, and exploring themes like anger and forgiveness. These strategies foster deeper analysis and student engagement.