Langston Hughes: A Poet’s Life

Chapter 8

Learning Goals

In this chapter, you will learn to:

  • Read sight words and functional words
  • Read long /a/ word patterns
  • Write some long /a/ words
  • Read simple texts
  • Identify main ideas, characters, and events from a reading
  • Write complete sentences
  • Write a short paragraph

Talk About It

  • What are some ways people can live on even after they have passed away?
  • Why do you think people still remember Langston Hughes?

Picture Dictionary

image cemetery-380839_640 https://pixabay.com/en/cigarette-cigarette-butt-butt-smoke-484256/
cancer died ashes
reminder-23771_640 pride dust
remember pride dust
leaves-228111_640 pine-leaves-691639_640 vector-163530_640
autumn handful spring
idaho-239691_640
land
Put the above words in alphabetical order.

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Check your work with the Answer Key at the end of this chapter.
Make a sentence using one of the above words.

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Ask your instructor to check your work.

Word Skills

Word Patterns

The letters a, e, i, o, and u are vowels. Vowels can make short sounds and long sounds.

The short /a/ says /a/ like in apple.
image

The long /a/ says /ā/ like in acorn.

acorn-42791_640

The long /a/ can be spelled with the letters a_e, ai, and ay.

Practice reading these words.
a_e ai ay
age maid day
rake mail pay
cane rain play
cake train say
game paint stay
plane tray
grape away
tape
lake
Match each picture to a word above.
cloud-37011_640 tape-23637_640 paint-117599_640
1. ________________ 2. ________________ 3. ________________
young-388662_1280 cake-35805_640 airliner-309920_640
4. ________________ 5. ________________ 6. ________________
image mail-297542_640 locomotive-60539_640
7. ________________ 8. ________________ 9. ________________
Check your work with the Answer Key at the end of this chapter.
Read each sentence. Then cover it up. Try to write it. Use upper case letters correctly. Use periods and question marks correctly.

a. Will it rain today?
_______________________________________________

b. Your pay will be in the mail.
_______________________________________________

c. There is cake on the tray.
_______________________________________________

d. What game do you want to play?
_______________________________________________

e. I need a cane at my age.
_______________________________________________

You will see these words in the story. They all have the ā/ sound, like acorn.

day today raindrop

Use Your Reading Skills

Listen to Chapter 8. Then read Chapter 8 in BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 2If you see a word you do not know, look to see if there are parts in the word that you do know. For example, raindrop is made of rain and drop.


Check Your Understanding

1. How old was Langston when he died?

_______________________________________________

2. Where are his ashes kept?

_______________________________________________

3. Why is Langston still remembered today?

_______________________________________________

Read the poem with a partner. Talk about these questions.

4. What pictures do you see in your head when you read this poem?

5. What is your favourite Langston Hughes poem?

Check your work with the Answer Key at the end of this chapter.

Writing

Grammar Rule

You have learned to use an upper case letter:

  • To begin a sentence
  • For the word I
  • To begin the name of a person
  • To begin the name of a place

You have learned to use:

  • A question mark at the end of a question
  • A period at the end of a statement
Use upper case letters and punctuation to make correct sentences.

1. who was langston hughes

2. he was a poet

3. what were his parents named

4. his parents were named carrie and james

5. where did he live

6. he lived in harlem

7. when did he live

8. he lived from 1902 to 1967

Check your work with the Answer Key at the end of this chapter.

Writing Task

Brainstorm a list of how you want people to remember you when you are gone. Think of examples for:
  • What you were like
  • People you helped
  • Things you did
  • Things you made
Write a short paragraph about what you want to be remembered for.

Remember:
– Use an upper case letter to begin each sentence.
– Use an upper case letter for the word I.
– Use an upper case letter for the names of people and places.
– End each sentence with a period or question mark.
– You may wish to type your paragraph on a computer.

Answer Key

Picture Dictionary
ashes autumn cancer
died dust handful
land pride remember
spring
Word Skills
QUESTION ANSWER
1 rain
2 tape
3 paint
4 play
5 cake
6 plane
7 tray
8 mail
9 train
Check Your Understanding  
QUESTION ANSWER
1 Langston was 65 years old when he died.
2 His ashes are kept in Harlem.
3 Langston is still remembered today for his beautiful poems, and for helping black people see themselves as a beautiful community.
4 Answers will vary.
5 Answers will vary.
Writing
QUESTION ANSWER
1 Who was Langston Hughes?
2 He was a poet.
3 What were his parents named?
4 His parents were named Carrie and James.
5 Where did he live?
6 He lived in Harlem.
7 When did he live?
8 He lived from 1902 to 1967.

Attributions

See the Attributions page near the end of this book.

License

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BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English - Course Pack 2 Copyright © 2015 by Shantel Ivits is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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