Advancing in Poetry Advancing in Poetry    

Lesson 34: The Best Thing in the World

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Performer: Librivox - David Lawrence

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

• Read or listen to the poem.
• Review the synopsis.
• Read about the poet.
• Complete the enrichment activities.

Synopsis

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's 'The Best Thing in the World' describes candidates for the best thing in the world and then concludes that perhaps the best thing is something not of this world.

Concepts

1. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was born in 1806 in Kelloe, Durham, England.

2. Zoom in and find Elizabeth's country of birth, England (UK), on the map of Europe.

3. Elizabeth was the eldest of twelve children. She had health problems growing up, including lung problems and pain in her neck.
4. Elizabeth wrote her first poems around age 6 and published her first collection of poems around age 32.
5. Elizabeth became well-known as a poet while still alive.
6. Elizabeth married Robert Browning, another famous poet, in secret, for they feared her father's disapproval. When Elizabeth's father found out about the marriage, he disinherited her.
7. Elizabeth and Robert moved to Italy, where she lived out her life.
8. Elizabeth died of an unknown illness in Florence, Italy at age 55.
9. Find Browning's country of death, Italy, on the map of Europe.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite Poem Information

Recite the title of the poem and the name of the poet.

Activity 2: Study the Poem Picture

Study the poem picture and describe how it relates to the poem.

Activity 3: Recite the Poem

Practice reciting the poem aloud.

Activity 4: Complete Book Activities   

• Click the crayon above, and complete pages 219-223 of 'Elementary Poetry 4: Advancing in Poetry.'

References

'Elizabeth Barrett Browning.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.