TP-CASTT Model Worksheet

Poetry doesn't have to be painful—and songs count as poetry too! This 2–3 day unit teaches students the TP-CASTT method, a step-by-step close reading strategy that slows them down so they actually get what they're reading. They'll learn to predict, paraphrase, dig into figurative language, spot tone shifts, and write real theme statements. Includes a full worksheet, a complete teacher's guide, a worked example using Janet Jackson's "Together Again," answer keys for common poems like "Harlem" and "The Road Not Taken," plus differentiation for ELL, struggling, and advanced learners. Great for grades 9–12, AP Lit, and creative writing. No prep stress—just print and teach.