Poem [Lana Turner has collapsed!] Lesson Plan

Lady

Kind of Activity:

Mixed Media

Objective:

Students will be able to better understand the cultural importance of Billie Holiday, the poem's subject

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.7; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.9; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.4

Structure:

By now students should understand that "Lady" was a nickname for Billie Holiday, a well-known twentieth-century jazz singer. However, they may not be familiar with either her work or her cultural significance.

Divide students into three groups. One group should read this New York Times obituary of Billie Holiday. A second group should listen to at least five of Holiday's songs, including "Strange Fruit"...