Curated OER
The Sonnet Challenge
Students are given information about two popular sonnet forms-English and Italian. They are given the rules for writing a sonnet. Students are asked what type of sonnet they would use. They are each given a sheet of paper and asked...
Curated OER
Superb Sonnets
Learners identify and compare the characteristics of both Italian and English sonnets. They read examples of each, then write an original sonnet in either the Italian or English style.
Curated OER
Sonnets
Young scholars examine the structure of sonnets. They compare and contrast them with modern day poetry. They write their own sonnet after changing the language in another sonnet to see why the author choosed certain words.
Curated OER
Exploring the Sonnet
Students research English/Shakespearean and Italian/Petrarchan sonnet forms. They write an original sonnet on their preferred form (English or Italian), write the poem on the wordprocessor and publish and post it on the net at the Sonnet...
Curated OER
The English Sonnet: Michael Drayton
Students discover literature by conducting a free writing experiment. In this sonnet instructional activity, students read the sonnet "The Parting" and compare it to modern-day songs about breaking up. Students listen to pop music in...
Curated OER
The Sonnet: Renaissance Representative
Students compose couplets, quatrains, and sonnets after learning about Italian and English sonnets. In this sonnets lesson plan, students read sonnets, analyze them, connect them to the Renaissance and present times, and then write their...
K12 Reader
Proper Adjectives
Introduce your class to proper adjectives while reinforcing proper nouns. For this quick exercise, learners find the proper noun in each sentence and find the matching proper adjective in the provided word bank.
Curated OER
"Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Students complete reading and vocabulary activities for Percy Bysshe Shelley's "Ozymandias." In this literary analysis lesson, students review vocabulary and related definitions for the text. Students read the poem and discuss the meaning.
Curated OER
The Renaissance was a Rebirth
In this Renaissance study guide worksheet, students read a brief overview pertaining to the time period in world history and then respond to 4 reflection questions.
University of Victoria (Canada)
The U Vic Writer's Guide: Literary Term: Sonnet
The University of Victoria's English department gives a comprehensive definition of the "sonnet" poetic form.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: English Renaissance: Sonnets
This lesson focuses on the sonnet including the definition, the history, the types of, and meters. It features the three types of sonnets: Italian/Petrarchan Sonnet, English/Shakespearean Sonnet, and Spenserian Sonnet. It describes the...
Other
Handprint: Shakespeare's Sonnets
Detailed background information on Shakespeare's sonnets and the sonnet cycle with comparisons between the Italian and English sonnet form. Includes the story of the sonnets with a breakdown/synopsis by narrative patterns and groupings....
Other
Petrarch and Laura: Peter Sadlon: How to Write a Sonnet [Pdf]
This is an 8-page PDF article on "How to Write a Sonnet" by Peter Sadlon. It provides background information about sonnets, discusses the two main kinds of sonnet Italian or Petrarchan form and English or Shakespearean form. It explains...
Other
Middle school.net: Shakespeare Analysis & Slide Show
Check out this informative site featuring an analysis of Shakespeare. The objective of this activity is for students to analyze a sonnet and present their findings via slide show. This lesson integrates technology into the curriculum.
University of Victoria (Canada)
University of Victoria: Sir Thomas Wyatt
This resource reveals that Sir Thomas Wyatt was a pioneer in bringing to English poetry the new forms of the Italian Renaissance, especially the Petrarchan sonnet. Related resources and links.
Other
Bob's Byway: Glossary of Poetic Terms
Calling itself "unique," Bob's is easy to use, with cross-links throughout, phonetic pronunciation guides when necessary, and many examples and quotations. Click on the letter and scroll for the word.