Name:_______________

Date:_______________
Teacher:_______________
Grade: Three/Four

Activity One
Lakeshore Elementary School
Library Media Center
Floanna L. Long, Media Coordinator

Today we have discussed Langston Hughes as a part of African-American

History and Cultural Month. He is considered one of the United States finest
poets and the voice of the Black community from the 1920ís through the 1960ís.
In February 2002, the U.S. Postal service issued a stamp honoring him.

Today you will listen to, read, and analyze on of his poems. Think about
the things the poet is trying to describe, to say about his world and life.

Your paper will be evaluated according to the following rubric:

4
All of the items are complete and correct. The written paragraph is in correct style
(indented with topic sentence, supporting details and a summary sentence),
written with correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. The ideas are presented
in a manner, which reflects excellent thought and understanding. Your must pay
close attention to all parts of the lessons and treat your classmates and teacher
with excellent respect.
3
Most of the items are complete and correct. The written paragraph is in correct
style (indented with topic sentence, supporting details and a summary sentence),
written with very correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. The ideas are
presented in a manner, which reflects good thought and understanding. Your
must pay close attention to all parts of the lessons and treat your classmates and
teacher with excellent respect.
2
Many of the items are complete and correct. The written paragraph is in fairly
correct style (indented with topic sentence, supporting details and a summary
sentence), written with fairly correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. The
ideas are presented in a manner which reflects fair thought and understanding.
Your must pay close attention to all parts of the lessons and treat your
classmates and teacher with excellent respect.
1
Few of the items are complete and correct. The written paragraph is not in
correct style (indented with topic sentence, supporting details and a summary
sentence), written with incorrect spelling, punctuation, and grammar. The ideas
are presented in a manner which reflects little thought and understanding. You
must pay close attention to all parts of the lessons and treat your classmates and
teacher with excellent respect.
NGG -- No Grade Given -- The assignment is not complete or many of the
requirements have for the assignment have not been met.

Page 2

We have discussed Langston Hughes as a part of African-American History and

Cultural Month. He is considered one of the United States finest poets and the
voice of the Black community from the 1920ís through the 1960ís. In February
2002, the U.S. Postal service issued a stamp honoring him.

Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow.

To fling my arms wide

In the face of the sun,
Dance! Whirl! Whirl!
Till the quick day is done.
Rest at pale evening ...
A tall slim tree ...
Night coming tenderly
Black like me.

--- From "Dream Variations" by Langston Hughes

1. Which words from the poem tell how the speaker describes his daytime?

A.________________________________________

B.________________________________________

C.________________________________________

2. Which words from the poem best tell how the speaker describes his evening?

A.________________________________________

B.________________________________________

C.________________________________________

3. Which words does the speaker use to describe his appearance?

A.________________________________________

B.________________________________________
Page 3
4. What is the main purpose of the three exclamation marks in the third line of the
poem (circle one answer)?
A. To finish the stanza
B. To point out differences
C. To show excitement
D. To make the words rhyme

5. What point of view is used in this poem (circle one answer)?

A. First person, a tree
B. Third person, the sun
C. First person, a dancer
D. Third person, the night

6. Which of the following words best describe the speaker in the poem (circle one
answer)?
A. confused
B. free and joyful
C. calm and restful
D. angry

7. Which sentence best tells about the theme of the poem (circle one answer)?
A. The speaker is looking for a chance to dance.
B. The speaker is trying to write a description of a tree.
C. The speaker is describing the feeling of being able to rest at the
end of a day.
D. The speaker is trying to describe the night.

8. Using some of the ideas in items #1 - #7, write a paragraph describing the
poem. You may include your own opinion. Use correct paragraph style
(indented, topic sentence, supporting details, and summary sentence), correct
spelling, punctuation, grammar and capitalization. Use the back of this page.
Proofread and correct your own errors. Use a dictionary.

Use the lines on the back of this page for the rough draft.

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________