Description

Overview:

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students will analyze Amanda Gorman's poem "Earthrise" and write their own poetry.

SCIENTIST NOTES: The lesson introduces students to basic literary techniques and how to use poetry skills to communicate climate change and solutions to a diverse audience. There is no science to verify, but the resources, accompanying materials, and links in the lesson are credible and ideal for teaching. This lesson has passed our review.

POSITIVES:
-Amanda Gorman is a brilliant poet.
-Students will engage in lively group discussions. This poem is abundant in deep meaning and rhyme.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Before class, share the following with your students:
-Student Slideshow. All students need editing rights, as they will be writing in the same slideshow.
-Full Text of the Poem "Earthrise." Students will need viewing rights.
-Student Document. Each student needs their own copy, as they will be writing their own poem on this document.
-Amanda Gorman is most famous for performing "The Hill We Climb" at Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021.
-Amanda Gorman delivered a TED talk called "Using Your Voice is a Political Choice."

DIFFERENTIATION:
-You can select students of all abilities to read part of the poem after you have watched the video.
-The six stanzas selected for group discussion are of various lengths. They range from 6 lines to 19 lines. You can assign weaker students to the shorter stanzas.
-You can create groups of mixed abilities.
-Students who like to take notes can be scribes in their groups.
-Students may be unfamiliar with some of the vocabulary in “Earthrise.”
-Students should use the two linked dictionaries on the resources slide to find definitions of unfamiliar words.

Subject:

English Language Arts

Level:

Middle School

Material Type:

Lesson Plan

Author:

Dan Castrigano

Provider:

SubjectToClimate

Date Added:

06/29/2023