Sappho: Poems and Fragments Lesson Plan

What We Know About Sappho

Kind of Activity:

Classwide Discussion

Objective:

Students will read about Sappho's life and view depictions of her in art, and will then discuss how this influences their perception of her work.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.7, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1

Structure:

Begin the activity by having students read the biography of Sappho from the Academy of American Poets.

When they are done with the reading, ask students what they learned about Sappho's life. Next, have students read from this article in the New Yorker that explains the uncertainties surrounding Sappho's life. Read the...