As attitudes of literacy help students succeed in school, this is an important development to encourage. Thus, students should be encouraged to interpret "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" for themselves, learning that no right or wrong answer exists, and that literature is a conduit through which one can have a personal response. The following lesson plan can stand by itself or follow the teaching of the poem as history.

Activity 1: Ask the students to take out an index card and write for five minutes about what toasted marshmallows make them think about. Teachers should tell the students that they can write about whatever pops into their head, giving them hints such as family memories, advertisements, funny conversations, or delicious treats.

Activity 2: Ask students to share some of their memories with the rest of the class. Make sure to point out how each student has a different...
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