UNIT:
Lesson: 16
Essential Question
The unit essential questions developed through this lesson are…
- How does culture influence the voice of a poet?
- How can poetry highlight a community’s strengths, challenges and ambitions?
- How can one’s sense of self be developed through poetry?
Task
The task that students will fulfill through this lesson is…
- As students begin to write their own poetry, they will first research Alyssa Gaines, the current National Youth Poet Laureate. Gaines is an 18-year-old Harvard student from the east side of Indianapolis. Students will learn of the role of the Youth Poet Laureate and how this appointment helps to elevate poetry as a vehicle for change. For today’s task, students will complete research on the current National Youth Poet Laureate, Alyssa Gaines, and provide a group report to the class.
Content Focus
By engaging in this lesson, students will demonstrate their knowledge/understanding that…
- Culture can influence the voice of a poet. Poetry can highlight the strengths, challenges and ambitions in a community. Poetry can be a medium to selfdiscovery.
Skills Focus
By engaging in this lesson, students will demonstrate their ability to…
- Research a topic and synthesize details from a variety of sources.
Standards Alignment
- Conduct short research projects to answer a question…drawing on several sources. (8.W.3.7)
