"Casey at the Bat" by Ernest L. Thayer
Lesson plans and teaching resources
"Casey at the Bat" by Ernest L. Thayer
Historical background and text of the poem.
"Casey at the Bat"
Students work with character analysis: students describe characters, interview Casey after the game, and/or act out the poem. Designed for grades 3-8.
"Casey at the Bat"
Students will draw similes from their descriptions of Casey to their own life experiences. This lesson is designed for 5th graders.
"Casey at the Bat"
How might students use storyboards to demonstrate and to extend their learning? Check the resources here. Students work with vocabulary, character maps, theme, more.
Note: Storyboard That helps sponsor this site.
"Casey at the Bat"
In this handout, students read the poem and answer multiple choice and short-answer questions, including questions about metaphor, simile, rhyme, synecdoche, allusion, and enjambment. 8 pages; Adobe Reader required for access.
"Casey at the Bat" Reader's Theater
Free script for 8+ voices, ages 9 and older.
Covering Your Bases: Rhyming, Ordering, and Recapping
Given the poem divided into strips, students use knowledge of rhythm and rhyme to assemble the complete poem. They answer comprehension questions and summarize at the end. This lesson was designed for TESOL but will work in many learning settings. Adobe Reader required for access.
Hubris at the Bat
Students will read "Casey at the Bat" by Ernest Lawrence Thayer (copy included) and discuss the idea of hubris and the role it can play in a persons downfall. Students will write a poem modeled after Thayers rhyme and syllable pattern about a time when they (or someone they know displayed hubris and were taught a lesson.
Play Ball! Encouraging Critical Thinking Through Baseball Questions
Students begin by listening to a read-aloud of
Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man
by David A. Adler (or "Casey at the Bat") and visiting websites containing baseball facts. Using the information they discover, students write questions to include in a Jeopardy game PowerPoint template. Playing the game with classmates enables students to share the facts they have discovered and creates a cooperative atmosphere in the classroom.Designed for grades 6-8.