Name: _________________________________
Date: __________________ Period: _________
Model Annotations
Directions: Copy notes as we annotation the poem together. Keep this in your binder; you
will use this to help you to annotate future assignments.
“Itsy-Bitsy Spider”
The itsy-bitsy spider Diction: author really wants us to know how small
spider is
Climbed up the water spout
Diction: journey is challenging
Q: Why? S: web is up there, good food source, danger on the ground
Down came the rain Symbol: misery, challenges/hardships, defeat
Imagery: see, hear, feel, smell – author wants to give us something we
can relate to
And washed the spider out Diction: forceful, aggressive
Out came the sun
Symbol: happiness, hope, triumph
Imagery: see, feel – something we can relate to, feel
brightening/lightening of the mood (mood shift)
And dried up all the rain
defeat better
Spider’s hope helped make the challenges or
And the itsy-bitsy spider Repetition: author wants us to know spider
is extremely small but able to endure hardships
Climbed up the spout again
optimistic
Characterize: tenacious, persistent,
Theme: Even if you’re at a disadvantage you should still pursue your
goals with optimism and persistence.
Connections:
 connect to literature, history, and current events
 use characterizations, conflicts, and themes in order to do
connections
o Rosa Parks – Even after getting arrested, she continued to
allow others to treat her as a second class citizen, and she
fought for civil rights. She was persistent, like the spider,
despite her disadvantages. (Connection btwn
characterizations, history)
o Kidnapped – The main character’s father dies, uncle takes $,
and he’s a teenager. He does not accept defeat and tries to get
back what is his, showing persistence, like the spider.
(Connection in themes, literature)
o Fahrenheit 451 –The main character goes against the
tyrannical government, but he persists and doesn’t give in to
fear. (Connection in themes, literature)
o Bernie Sanders – Though he had disadvantages because of
his religion, political views, and finances, he tried fought for
the democratic nomination. He did not get the nomination.
He remains politically active, fighting for what he believes
in. (Connection to conflict and resolution, current event)
o Colin Kaepernick – Just a football player, no real political
power, makes a small gesture by not standing for the anthem
bc he believes there’s too much injustice in the country. Lots
of backlash, career on the line, but he persists in what he
believes in. (Connection to conflict, current event)