Because I Could Not Stop for Death

Teaching materials for this text pairing include pre- and post-reading prompts, short answer questions, activities, and essay topics that can be used before or after students’ independent or group reading of the texts. The materials are designed to heighten engagement with each text while deepening understanding of common themes. Use the writing options in lessons to create opportunities for finding evidence and support in the texts, employing critical thinking skills, and practicing test-taking skills. 

These materials can be utilized as a basis for lesson planning and unit design, class discussion, Entrance and Exit “tickets,” small group seminars, and writing activity ideas. Fulfill requirements for IEP/GIEP learners, early finishers, independent study, varied learning styles, and more.

1. “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson (poem)
2. "Half a Day” by Naguib Mahfouz (short story)

These prompts can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before or after reading the paired texts.

Pre-reading Prompt:

1. Think about a time in your life (spanning anywhere from minutes to months) when time itself seemed to pass either very slowly or very quickly. What were you doing? What was going on around you? Why might you have felt that way about time’s passage? How does your experience relate to the discussion in