Who is Amanda Gorman? Most folks got to know poet Amanda Gorman through her 2021 Inaugural Poem, “The Hill We Climb.” But before and after her time on the national stage, this activist x poet x author had many things to say. These three Amanda Gorman poems show just how versatile the lyricist can be.
Well worth your students’ (and your!) time, Amanda Gorman is just the right voice to show just how powerful poetry can be this April National Poetry Month. She speaks on everything from Women’s Rights to Climate Change. Her work is the perfect foundation for a cross-curricular inquiry or mini-inquiry. Read on to find three Amanda Gorman poems that are just right for your cross-curricular unit!
Amanda Gorman Poem #1: “Earthrise”
Cross-curricular focus: Science x Climate Justice x Poetry x History
This video poem is a beautiful call-in to the realities of global warming a challenge to do something about it. With references to “An Inconvenient Truth” and the 1968 Apollo 8 Launch, the words weave together in a way that will immediately draw students in.
Essential Questions you can explore in this poem are:
- Science: What concepts from Earth science are referenced in this work?
- Climate Justice: (How) can words like this poem help our planet?
- Poetry: How does the poet use rhyme and rhythm to make her message clear?
Golden lines:
- A glimpse into our planet’s mirror / And as threats drew nearer / Our own urgency became clearer
- You don’t need to be a politician/ To make it your mission to conserve, to protect / To preserve that one and only home/ That is ours
Climate change is the single greatest challenge of our time
Of this, you’re certainly aware.
It’s saddening, but I cannot spare you
From knowing an inconvenient fact, because
It’s getting the facts straight that gets us to act and not to wait.
Amanda Gorman, “Earthrise”
Amanda Gorman Poem #2: “American Lyric”
Cross-curricular focus: Social Justice x History x Poetry
Essential Questions for this poem could include:
- Social Justice: What big-world issues are addressed in this poem?
- History: What is the significance of the place where this poem was performed? What is the significance of both the places and people referenced in this poem?
- Poetry: How does this poem use allusions to communicate its message?
Find a detailed poetry analysis here.
Golden lines:
- There’s a poem in this place—/ in the heavy grace,/ the lined face of this noble building/ collections burned and reborn twice.
- Tyrants fear the poet. / Now that we know it / we can’t blow it.
Amanda Gorman Poem #3: “Talking Gets us There”
Cross-curricular focus: Social Justice x Poetry x Art
This Amanda Gorman poem is the most easily digestible for young learners, but that doesn’t mean the content isn’t there. The engaging images that accompany the poet’s impeccable voiceover make the poem’s meaning all the more profound.
You could explore these essential questions through this Amanda Gorman poem:
- Social Justice: Where do we see examples of racism? Where do we see examples of people who have “talked about it?”
- Poetry: How does Amanda Gorman use rhythm to keep readers/listeners engaged? What lines stand out and why?
- Art: How does the art/video enhance the meaning of the poem?
Golden Lines:
- Because what makes us different / Is what makes us SO special
- So, heroes get into good trouble / They have to struggle for a long while
Looking for resources?
Are you hoping to expand your study from an Amanda Gorman poem to an author/poet study? Do you need poetry analysis tools to support your students? I’ve got you covered!
Read more from Kate at Lit by Learning!
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