Additional Book Information:

• Copyright: 2019 by HarperCollins Publishers

• Publisher: Versify 

• Publishing Date: April 2, 2019

• Reading Level (Accelerated Reader): 2.5-2.9

5 key words to describe this book:

• Powerful

• Meaningful

• Rhythmic

• Poignant

• Moving

ELA CT Common Core Standard that might be met by reading this book:

RL.4.5 Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama (e.g., casts of characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text.

Suggested Delivery:

• Read Aloud or Independent Read

Electronic Resources: 

• https://www.allencheng.com/the-undefeated-book-summary-kwame-alexander-kadir-nelson/ 

  • This website provides textual and visual summaries that can be used after reading to aid in understanding.

• https://www.espnfrontrow.com/2019/07/how-did-a-poem-commissioned-by-the-undefeated-become-a-2019-new-york-times-best-selling-childrens-book/ 

  • Play this video for students after reading text to provide insight into Kwame Alexander's writing process and decisions. 

Video to Build Schema:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cHIWtl8PNk 

ELA Teaching Suggestions:

Key vocabulary that may have to be taught for students to better understand the text:

• Civil rights movement: the effort made by black people and their supporters to gain equal rights

• Perseverance: the ability to keep doing something no matter how hard it is

• Discrimination: when someone is treated differently or unfairly based on an aspect of their identity

• Culture: the "way of life" of groups of people; food, clothing, language and celebrations are all a part of culture

• Equality: ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities 

• Protest: to disapprove of something; when people come together in public to show others that they strongly like or dislike something in society

Reading strategy suggestions to increase literal and/or inferential comprehension:

• Before Reading

  • Show students the video of The Freedom Singers performing "We Shall Not Be Moved" at the March on Washington (this is referenced in the poem). Provide context and explain how this was a significant event in history. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duvoETGVvYU 

• During Reading

  • Choral read the poem. 

• After Reading

  • Find another song or poem that relates to the theme of the book and explain the similarities. 

Writing activity that requires students to demonstrate inferential comprehension:

• Write a letter to the author of the book, sharing your thoughts and reflections.