“Now more than ever, the United States needs an inaugural poem. Poetry is typically the touchstone that we go back to when we have to remind ourselves of the history that we stand on, and the future that we stand for.”  -Amanda Gorman

Amanda Gorman-Inaugural Poet at age 22

Amanda Gorman is the youngest person to deliver a poem at a U.S. presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021.  Gorman was named the nation's First Youth Poet Laureate at the age of 19. At 16, she was Youth Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, where she was raised by Joan, a single mother and an English teacher. Gorman said writing became her way to overcome a daunting obstacle.  "I had a speech impediment. And so I couldn't use my voice, then I would author my voice on the page. So it's really been a godsend and a lifeline for me." 
​Meet Amanda in this introduction video.  
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The Hill We Climb

This was the inaugural poem.  Below find the video of the event, the text and then an analysis of the text showing rhyming structure, alliteration (underlined) and poetic device commentary.
Gr. 5-12 Resources: introduction slides, poem exploration, poem creation
Article by Valerie Bolling on why teach poetry and why children should write poetry.

The Miracle of Morning

Here is another poem by Amanda Gorman along with two lesson plans (grades 3-6 and 7-12).   Feel free to make a copy of any page to customize it for your students.
Gr. 3-6 Resources: introduction slides, poem exploration, meaning page, poem creation page
Remember: Poetry is a performance art form.  
While it can be read silently, it's designed to be performed and heard aloud.

Resources

Other resources
TED talk follow-up: What do you stand for?
​Whose shoulders do you stand on?  
Here's a page to add your thoughts. 
Change Sings book 
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Chorus of Captains

Performed at the Super Bowl February 7, 2021

Earthrise

This poem was read from stage at the Los Angeles Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training on Tuesday, August 28, 2018.

Dedicated to Al Gore and The Climate Reality Project 

Daughter’s Metro Map to City Identity

A poem about place and identity
This PDF includes lesson sequence, the poem frame and signs for the a Family Art Night event.  (English/Spanish)
STUDENTS: Make a copy of the document you wish to edit-you cannot edit the original.