The Treasure Trove of Poetry and the Art of Understanding It, Anthology

Anthology Only

An Easy-to-Use Literature Program with Hands-On Activities

The Treasure Trove of Poetry consists of a WORKTEXT and an ANTHOLOGY. The worktext is divided into three equal parts:

• The Secret Code of Poetry (Lyric Poetry)
  Students will not only read timeless poems from various eras but will also master the art of appreciating and analyzing poetry. They will learn how poets use techniques such as rhyme, meter, metaphor, and irony as a “secret code” to communicate their meaning more powerfully.
• The Ballad of the White Horse (Epic Poetry)
  Students will apply what they have learned about poetry as they read G.K. Chesterton’s The Ballad of the White Horse. Transport your students back to the 9th century as they follow King Alfred’s heroic defense of Christianity against the heathen Danes. This inspiring epic poem will inspire students to face challenges to their Faith with courage, perseverance, and joy.
• Shakespeare (Dramatic Poetry)
  In the final part, students will journey through 20 famous excerpts from Shakespeare, including the heart-stirring battle speeches of Henry V, the blood-curdling soliloquies of Richard III, the riddling inscriptions on Portia’s caskets, the manipulative rhetoric of Mark Antony, and other intriguing passages. The step-by-step guide ensures that students not only understand Shakespeare’s language but also develop the skills to unravel the beauty of his works. This is the perfect introduction to the most rewarding parts of Shakespeare and will leave students eager to read more in later grades.

Designed for independent study—no prior literary knowledge needed from the parent! To encourage independent study, all instructions are directed to the student.

Removable parent resources in the Worktext include:

• complete answer key
• detailed guide to discussion questions

The Anthology is an essential component of The Treasure Trove of Poetry. It includes 150 pages of lyric poetry, Chesterton’s The Ballad of the White Horse, and 20 famous excerpts from Shakespeare. The Anthology is fully annotated to define archaic vocabulary and explain difficult passages.

Recommended for grades 8-10. The program is designed to be completed in one year, but it could be completed over a longer period. A daily schedule for this program is available in CHC Lesson Plans for Eighth Grade.