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Voice, Identity, and the Power of Words
Voice, Identity, and the Power of Words
Poetry helps us explore ideas, emotions, and experiences in ways that are both personal and powerful. In this mini-unit, we will read and analyze poems by three influential poets: Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, and Amanda Gorman. Each poet uses free-verse and other poetic techniques to express themes about identity, resilience, and the world around them.
During this unit, you will:
Analyze how poets use word choice, figurative language, repetition, and structure to create meaning
Compare how different poets express similar themes in different ways
Discuss your ideas and interpretations with classmates
Work collaboratively to explore poems and share your thinking
Create your own original poem using the techniques we study
Use poetry as a way to express your own ideas, experiences, and voice
Lesson 1: Analyze Free-Verse Poetry
Lesson 1: Analyze Free-Verse Poetry
In this lesson, we will read A Poem for My Librarian, Mrs. Long by Nikki Giovanni. As we read, we will focus on how the poet’s word choices, figurative language, and free-verse structure help develop the poem’s central theme. You will analyze how a single experience from childhood can reveal larger ideas about learning, opportunity, and the power of books.
Learning Objective:
I can analyze specific word choices, figurative language, and structural elements in a free-verse poem to determine a central theme, as demonstrated in a written response that includes multiple pieces of relevant textual evidence.
Listen and read along to A Poem for My Librarian, Mrs. Long
Lesson 1 Warm Up Activity:
To begin the lesson, you will complete a Blooket warm-up to review the concept of theme in poetry.
Get started:
Join the Blooket game using this link: Blooket
Choose a game mode, nickname, and emoji
Answer all 13 questions
Play against your classmates for 5 minutes
Answer questions correctly to earn points
Check the live scoreboard to see your progress during the game
Find out who placed in the top three when the game ends
This warm-up will help you practice identifying theme before we begin reading and analyzing today’s poem.
Click Here to open the Blooket activity.
Lesson 2: Structure, Repetition, and Tone
Lesson 2: Structure, Repetition, and Tone
In this lesson, we will compare A Poem for My Librarian, Mrs. Long and Still I Rise. You will examine how two poets use different structures and techniques, such as free-verse and repetition, to develop tone and theme. By comparing these poems, you will see how poetic choices shape the reader’s understanding of a message.
Learning Objective:
I can compare how differences in poetic structure and repetition develop tone and theme across two poems, as demonstrated in a comparative written response supported by text evidence from both texts.
Watch Maya Angelou read her poem Still I Rise.
Lesson 2 Activity:
Quick Write: Comparing Two Poems
After reading A Poem for My Librarian, Mrs. Long and Still I Rise, respond to the question below.
Prompt:
Prompt:
How do Nikki Giovanni and Maya Angelou use structure and repetition differently to develop the tone and theme of their poems?
To score a 4:
To score a 4:
Write about both poems
Compare one important difference or similarity in structure or repetition
Explain how that choice affects the tone and theme
Use one piece of evidence from each poem
Success Criteria:
Success Criteria:
✔ I compared both poems
✔ I explained one difference or similarity
✔ I connected it to tone and theme
✔ I used evidence from both poems
**Group 1 (Working with Mr. Polachck): Click here for sentence stems and word banks.
How to begin the activity:
Type this url: app.myshortanswer.com/join
Then enter code: TBCYT
Write your quick write response and submit it.
Choose two AI reviewers to give feedback on your writing
Read the feedback and rate it with a thumbs up or thumbs down
Review the class results to see if the success criteria were met
Discuss reflection questions with a partner
Share your ideas with the class
Revise your writing using the feedback
Resubmit your response and work toward meeting the class goal
Lesson 3: Poetry Writing
Lesson 3: Poetry Writing
In this lesson, we will read For Alex Jeffrey Pretti by Amanda Gorman and reflect on how poets use language to address important social issues. Then, working collaboratively, you will create your own free-verse poem inspired by the themes and techniques we studied throughout the unit. This final lesson will give you the opportunity to use poetry to communicate your own ideas and experiences.
Learning Objective:
I can compose an original free-verse poem using at least three poetic techniques to convey a clear theme, and justify how the techniques I choose contribute to the meaning in a written explanation.
Read the poem For Alex Jeffrey Pretti by Amanda Gorman
Lesson 3 Activity:
In this activity, you will create your own original free-verse poem using Word Mover.
Open the link and follow these steps:
Open the link and follow these steps:
Select Start a New Poem
Select Word Bank
Create a title for your poem and type your name
Choose and customize your background
Explore the word bank for ideas and inspiration
Select words from the word bank to add to your poem
Generate a new word bank or shuffle the words if you want different choices
Add your own original words using the “Add Label” tool
Drag and move words around to create your poem
Arrange words in creative ways to add shape, style, and meaning
Create a poem that shows your own ideas, voice, and creativity
When your free-verse poem is complete: press Next and then Export to make a PDF that is saved to your computer. Attach the PDF in an email to me: mpoacheck@schools.nyc.gov.
Click Here to open Word Mover.
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