Figurative Language: Metaphor, Simile, Personification
Students will identify and analyze the impact of various types of figurative language in Romantic poetry and prose.
Key Questions
- Analyze how specific metaphors contribute to the central themes of a literary work.
- Differentiate between the effects of simile and metaphor in conveying imagery.
- Explain how personification can deepen a reader's connection to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
Common Core State Standards
About This Topic
The Election of 1860 was the final breaking point for the American political system. This topic explores the fragmentation of the party system, the rise of Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party, and the immediate reaction of the Southern states following his victory. Students analyze the different party platforms and the core arguments for and against secession, focusing on the defense of slavery as the primary motivator for the South.
For 11th graders, this topic is the culmination of decades of sectional tension. it demonstrates how an election can serve as a catalyst for revolutionary change. Students grasp the high stakes of this moment faster through structured simulations of the election and peer-led analysis of the 'Declarations of Causes' issued by seceding states.
Active Learning Ideas
Simulation Game: The Four-Way Election
Divide the class into supporters of Lincoln, Douglas, Breckinridge, and Bell. Students must create campaign posters and give short speeches explaining their candidate's position on slavery and the Union, followed by a mock vote.
Inquiry Circle: Why They Seceded
Small groups analyze the secession documents from states like South Carolina and Mississippi. They must highlight every mention of slavery to determine the primary reason these states left the Union.
Think-Pair-Share: Lincoln's First Inaugural
Students read excerpts from Lincoln's speech. They work in pairs to identify his 'olive branch' to the South and his firm stance on the permanence of the Union, discussing whether war was avoidable at that point.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionLincoln won a majority of the popular vote in 1860.
What to Teach Instead
Lincoln won with only 40% of the popular vote because the opposition was so divided. A 'map analysis' activity helps students see how he won the Electoral College by carrying the entire North, which further convinced the South they had no voice in the government.
Common MisconceptionThe South seceded primarily over 'states' rights' in general.
What to Teach Instead
The primary 'right' they were defending was the right to own enslaved people. Analyzing the Confederate Constitution helps students see that it actually restricted states' rights in some ways to protect the institution of slavery.
Suggested Methodologies
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Democratic Party divided in 1860?
What was the Crittenden Compromise?
Which state was the first to secede and why?
How can active learning help students understand the Election of 1860?
Planning templates for English Language Arts
ELA
An English Language Arts template structured around reading, writing, speaking, and language skills, with sections for text selection, close reading, discussion, and written response.
unit plannerThematic Unit
Organize a multi-week unit around a central theme or essential question that cuts across topics, texts, and disciplines, helping students see connections and build deeper understanding.
rubricSingle-Point Rubric
Build a single-point rubric that defines only the "meets standard" level, leaving space for teachers to document what exceeded and what fell short. Simple to create, easy for students to understand.
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