A Visit from Brother Ghost on the Harvest Moon

Writing Workshop

Workshop Title: Window

Step 1

Ask your students, “What’s something (or someone) that you yearn to know more about? This desire to learn more can stem from a brief, fleeting encounter with this person or place, a mere desire to better comprehend it, an eagerness to feel part of a larger group of people, etc.” Then give them time to discuss.

Step 2

Read “A Visit from Brother Ghost on the Harvest Moon” by Jennifer Huang. When you’re done, briefly discuss whom the poem is directed/written to and how the poet feels about this person. Be sure to discuss the specific parts of the poem that help convey the speaker’s feelings.

Step 3

Ask them to choose something or someone that they’d like to know more about. Then have them create a create a three-columned chart.

1. In the first column, simply have them write down the reasons why they want to know this “thing” better.
2. In the second column, explain what they already do know.
3. In the third column, explain how or why they will feel more fulfilled when they do know more.

Give them 5-10 minutes to brainstorm.

Step 4

Have your students write a poem similar in sentiment to “A Visit from Brother Ghost on the Harvest Moon” by Jennifer Huang in which they express their desire to know someone or something on a deeper level.

Step 5

When the students are done, have them share their responses with one another.

The full presentation may be found HERE.

Analytical Lesson

Area of Focus: Various

Step 1

This lesson allows students to analyze various concepts and skills, so it is recommended that you have covered several of the “standalone” lessons before assigning this one. The prominent literary devices & techniques that this particular poem includes are: diction, tone, selection of detail, imagery, figurative language, tone, and structure (rhyme scheme).

Step 2

Start by showing your students the following image. When the image is projected on the screen, ask your students to simply discuss what they notice about it. Ask them to pay attention to the lighting, angles, colors, etc. Then have your students attempt to determine what the image is meant to convey.

Step 3

Read Jennifer Huang’s “A Visit from Brother Ghost on the Harvest Moon” aloud to your students. Then ask your students to share their thoughts as to what they think the “message” of the poem is.

Step 4

Have your students briefly discuss the similarities between image and the poem, how they think each work complements or reinforces the message of one another.

Step 5

Tell your students to open the following document and go over the instructions with them. In this assignment, your students are going to have to annotate the image from earlier in class and analyze how certain elements of the photograph reflect or reiterate specific text from the poem. Then give your students time to work on the assignment.

Step 6

When your students are done, have them share their responses with one another.

Step 7

If time permits, share the exemplar essay.