Tone Poetry

A free bird leaps

on the back of the wind   

and floats downstream   

till the current ends

and dips his wing

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

What does the free bird represent?

• free bird

• a plane

• free white people

• an eagle

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and   

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

What is the tone of this section?

• positive

• negative

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

The caged bird sings   

with a fearful trill   

of things unknown   

but longed for still   

and his tune is heard   

on the distant hill   

for the caged bird   

sings of freedom.

What tone is created in this section?

• hopeful

• hilarious

• romantic

• appreciative

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

What is the tone of this section?

• depressing

• silly

• optimistic

• mocking

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams   

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream   

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied   

so he opens his throat to sing.

What is the tone of this section?

• playful

• relaxed

• happy

• tragic

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

What is the message of "A Caged Bird"?

• Birds are free.

• His wings are clipped.

• All people deserve freedom.

• The caged bird sings   

  with a fearful trill.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

What does the caged bird represent?

• a bird in the zoo

• a parrot

• people of color that are not free

• prisoners

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

my mom holds her accent like a shotgun,

with two good hands.

her tongue, all brass knuckle

slipping in between her lips

her hips, all laughter and wind clap.

What tone does this section create?

• confident

• confused

• violent

• stressful

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

she speaks a sanchocho of spanish and english,
pushing up against one another,
in rapid fire

there is no telling my mama to be “quiet,”
she don’t know “quiet.”

What is the tone of this section?

• nervous

• cold

• humorous

• angry

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

English sits her her mouth remixed
so “strawberry” becomes “eh­strawbeddy”
and “cookie” becomes “eh­cookie”
and kitchen, key chain, and chicken all sound the same.

What is the tone of this section?

• fearful

• funny

• depressing

• serious

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4