Verses of Resilience Poetry Lesson

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Lesson Title: Creating Multimedia Poetry: Celebrating Black English Teachers

Grade Level: Middle School (6th-8th grade)

Objective:

• Students will explore the poetry of Haki Madhubuti, Tupac, and Kendrick Lamar.
• Students will analyze and compare the poetic styles and themes of these artists.
• Students will create their own multimedia poems, incorporating beats and music, to celebrate Black English teachers.

Materials:

1. Poems by Haki Madhubuti, Tupac, and Kendrick Lamar.
2. Whiteboard or chalkboard and markers/chalk.
3. Writing materials for students (paper, pencils, or digital devices).
4. Access to an online platform for creating multimedia poems (e.g., Soundtrap, GarageBand, or a similar tool).
5. Headphones for each student (optional but recommended).
6. Projector and screen (optional for displaying lyrics).

Lesson Plan:

Introduction:

1. Begin by discussing the importance of English teachers in students' lives and how they inspire and shape young minds.
2. Explain that the lesson will focus on celebrating Black English teachers through multimedia poetry.
3. Share the objectives of the lesson with the students.

Poetry Analysis:

1. Introduce Haki Madhubuti, Tupac, and Kendrick Lamar as poets and artists who have used their words to inspire change and social awareness.
2. Display or distribute selected poems by each artist. Discuss the themes, language, and stylistic elements present in their work.
3. Encourage students to consider how these poets use their words to convey powerful messages and emotions.

Comparative Analysis:

1. Have a class discussion comparing and contrasting the styles and themes of Madhubuti, Tupac, and Kendrick Lamar.
2. Use a whiteboard or chart paper to create a visual representation of the students' observations.

Creative Writing Activity:

1. Explain to students that they will create multimedia poems to celebrate Black English teachers.
2. Encourage students to draw inspiration from the styles and themes they discussed earlier.
3. Provide writing prompts or guidelines to help students get started (same as in the previous plan).
4. Instruct students to consider how they can incorporate beats, music, or sound effects to enhance their poems.

Using Online Platform:

1. Demonstrate how to use the chosen online platform for creating multimedia poems (e.g., Soundtrap or GarageBand). Explain how to add beats, music, and sound effects.
2. Allow students to explore the platform, upload their written poems, and experiment with adding music and beats.
3. Circulate among students to provide guidance and support as needed.

Sharing and Reflection :

1. Have students share their multimedia poems with the class. They can play their poems using headphones to minimize distractions.
2. After each presentation, facilitate a discussion where students can provide feedback and share their thoughts on how music and beats enhanced the impact of their poems.
3. Encourage students to reflect on how multimedia elements added depth and emotion to their poetry.

Conclusion:

1. Recap the importance of celebrating Black English teachers and the power of multimedia poetry to convey gratitude and inspiration.
2. Emphasize the creative possibilities that technology offers for self-expression.
3. Encourage students to continue exploring multimedia poetry and to use their voices to celebrate those who inspire them.

Homework:

Assign students to share their multimedia poems with a Black English teacher or mentor as an expression of gratitude and appreciation.