Outsiders

Index

#12
Name ____________________________________________ Date: _____________

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Reading Focus: 1) Summarize a poem, 2) Determine a poems theme, 3) Connect a poems
theme to events in The Outsiders
Suggested Resource: Permanent Notes #4- Poetry Notes (9/9/13)
Recap The Outsiders:
1. Where are Ponyboy and Johnny now? What has happened in the recent past? List several
events:

Snap Judgment!
2) Read Nothing Gold Can Stay straight through. Whats it about? What topics are covered?
Natures first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

3) What topics are covered in this poem? List a few below:

4) What is it about? Summarize each stanza:
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Stanza 2 (lines 5-8) _____________________________________________________________
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5) Predictions: What is the theme of this poem?
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1

1.
DIRECTIONS: With your group, mark up the poem and break it down.
(Ways to mark up the poem: clarify difficult words, analyze metaphors, and illustrate what you
picture in your mind)

2. MOOD: How does the poem make you feel? Why?

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Some reminders about theme:

A theme is not just a one-word answer. Justice is not a theme (it is a topic). A theme
could be about the topic of justice. For example, a theme could be justice is hard to find
when people torment each other.

A theme is debatable. Some people may agree, while others disagree that justice is
hard to find when people torment each other.

A theme is the message conveyed by a text that applies to multiple other texts. A
theme has to connect to or be found in other texts (this includes books, TV shows,
movies, etc).

3. THEME: What is the message?

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4. Where else have you seen this theme? Briefly describe another text/movie/TV show/real-life
situation and explain how it had a similar message as this poem.
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5. Why did Ponyboy recite the poem at this point in the novel?
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Name ____________________________________________ Date: ________________

Exit Slip
1) How does figurative language contribute to the development of the theme?
a. A metaphor conveys the idea that nature is full of bright colors.
b. Personification conveys the idea that nature is nurturing.
c. A metaphor conveys the idea that natures miracles are temporary.
d. An allusion conveys the idea that nature is magical.
2) Choose best evidence to support your answer in #1.
a. Her early leafs a flower; But only so an hour.
b. So Eden sank to grief
c. Natures first green is gold,
d. Her hardest hue to hold.

Name ____________________________________________ Date: _____________

Homework: Nothing Gold Can Stay

PART 1 Directions: Write your OWN poem or song about a different topic that conveys a
similar theme as Nothing Gold Can Stay.
BRAINSTORM:
a) What was the theme of Nothing Gold Can Stay?
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b) What topic do you want to write about to convey this theme? (Robert Frost wrote about
nature, so write about something different).
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c) Write your poem/song below. Your poem should be at least 6 lines.
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PART 2 Directions: Character Response
a) Choose one character (circle):
Dally

Ponyboy

Johnny

Darry

b) At this point in the novel, what would your character say about the theme in your poem and
Robert Frosts poem? Would he agree or disagree? Find at least one piece of evidence from The
Outsiders to support your answer and include the page numbers. Write at least 5 sentences.
(Write from your own, academic perspective, not in the voice of the character.
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RUBRIC (Teacher completes)
4

Poem
Topic
(Part 1)

Poems topic is
unique and is not
about nature

Poems topic is
not about nature

The topic is not

unique or too
closely matches
Nothing Gold

Poem
Theme
(Part 1)

Poems theme is
very clear; strongly
connects to the
theme of Nothing
Gold Can Stay

The theme is
mostly clear;
mostly connects
to the theme of
Nothing Gold

The theme is
somewhat clear;
somewhat
connects to the
theme of
Nothing Gold

The theme is
unclear; or does not
connect to the
theme of Nothing

Characte
r
Reaction
to
Theme
(Part 2)

Characters
response to theme
is logical, detailed
and accurate

Characters
response to
theme is
somewhat
accurate

Characters
response to theme
is vague or
inaccurate

Evidence
(Part 2)

One strong, specific

piece of evidence
from The Outsiders

Weak evidence or
does not include
page numbers