The kids were really moved by the poem The Raven.  I mean, I guess I knew that it would intrigue them, but they really enjoyed it.  We listened to just about every version on Utube, from and animated Poe to The Simpsons.  Over and over they listened, and each time with each version took away a little more.  Afterwards, Spencer felt compelled to write, and Audrey to draw.  Each of the kids had to draw a picture based on either Annabelle Lee or The Raven.  They all chose The Raven. 

We discussed why the poem is so moving.  Our conclusion was that it stirred every reader because everyone has had the experience of feeling ‘not alone.’  We did some research on the Internet and found a lot of varying descriptions of ravens.  They are symbolic through many cultures.  The American Indians believe they are secret messengers, magical, and carry messages from the cosmos.  Many other cultures consider the raven to be a bad omen, or a symbol of death or destruction.  However, just as many cultures revere them as wise creatures able to warn people of dire situations.  When reading The Raven, the kids felt this bird was a messenger sent to tell the main character of his own damnation. 

The next question came from Malena, who wanted to know if ravens could really talk.  Well, according to Utube, yes, yes they can! 

After reading what Edgar Allan Poe found to make up ‘good’ poetry, Spencer set to work to write his next poem. 

 

The Wind

Oh how I hear the wind whistle past my ear

Oh how I hear the song and think of you my dear

Faster, faster, faster, Oh how all the wind blows

Faster, faster, faster, oh how nobody knows

Of the tune I hear as I think of you my dear

Smudge-faced Audrey!  A true artistic look!

Spencer works on his image from the poem

Malena’s image of the poem.  The ‘raven’ is actually delivering a message!

This is the start of our Poe wall