Writing to Change the World
Lesson Five: Writing to Change the World
Curriculum by National Youth Poet Laureate Program, 2020
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Table of contents
Social justice, social change, anti-oppression, liberation, equity.
Mini-lecture on social and cultural identities and how words shape those identities, Learn about Greek aeidein or ode. Close reading and annotation, discussion, performance.
To write poems that can be used as a form of activism towards social change.
Reading their poems to their peers open-mic style or in small groups.
Themes
Method
Outcome
Evaluation
Introduction
Throughout history, poetry has been used to galvanize, ignite, and form revolutionary moments and movements, activating communities and groups to help enact and spark change. While time has always been urgent in a world and society ridden with systemic oppression and injustice, we are living amidst what feel like particularly urgent times. Today’s lesson is an opportunity to feel directly engaged with enacting change and joining a lineage of poets, writers, and artists who have been at the forefront of justice movements and protests throughout history. Mahogany L. Browne speaks about the power of speaking up in all spaces, as a way to honor the historical legacy of poetry as a form of activism.
Discussion
“Can you think of a time you spoke up for someone else or for an important cause?”
Let’s read poems by Tobe Nwigwe and
Anthem
: a song or hymn of praise or gladness
a patriotic anthem
: a usually rousing popular song that typifies or is identified with a particular subculture, movement, or point of view
anthems of teenage angst
: a psalm or hymn sung antiphonally or responsively
: a sacred vocal composition with words usually from the Scriptures
Writing
—Writing
—Writing
Sharing
When we share our poem, we can snap our fingers, clap, or wave our hands. When you hear something one of your colleagues wrote, you can provide feedback with “I like,” “I notice,” and “I wonder.”
Closing
Now, share a word that describes how you’re feeling, what you learned, or what you are taking away from this lesson.
Appendix
Video Links: