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First-Day Lesson Plan for American Literature: Poems about "America"
By Rigorous Resources for High School English
This lesson was designed to be used on the first day of a year-long 11th-grade American Literature course. The lesson includes a poetry packet with 7 poems by diverse American authors. Each of the poems raises important questions about what "America" represents. A land of freedom and equality? A refuge for immigrants? A diverse and inclusive nation? Or a land with entrenched inequality? A saber-rattling evil empire?
Here is a list of the poems:
1. Ada Limón, "A New National Anthem" (2018) — our new Poet Laureate!
2. Emma Lazarus, "The New Colossus" (1883)
3. Walt Whitman, "I Hear America Singing" (1860)
4. Langston Hughes, "I, Too" (1923) — responding directly to Whitman!
5. Claude McKay, "America" (1921)
6. James Lasdun, "The Question" (2012) — is America "good or bad"?
7. Tony Hoagland, "America" (2003)
This resource also comes with a classwork packet that features discussion questions on the poems by Ada Limôn, Emma Lazarus, and Langston Hughes. The discussion questions come on three handouts, each of which contains 7 questions about a particular poem. Each handout also has a quick write where students can answer one of the questions in writing.
How might the concept of "America" represent a set of ideals and promises? Has this nation lived up to its ideals and promises? How might the idea of America be different from the reality?
Thank you for choosing Rigorous Resources!
Happy teaching!
Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.
P.S. Don't forget to click “follow” for email updates on new products by Rigorous Resources. New products will be 50% OFF for the first 24 hours!
Rigorous Resources is your one-stop shop for resources on American literature. Every unit was designed by a Ph.D. with a research specialization in American literature. Feel free to check out these complete units on canonical texts by diverse American authors:
Complete Unit on Tommy Orange's There There
Complete Unit on Arthur Miller's The Crucible
Complete Unit on Frederick Douglass's Narrative
Complete Unit on F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby
Complete Unit on Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God
Complete Unit on Nella Larsen's Passing
Complete Unit on J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye
Complete Unit on Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun
Complete Unit on Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye
Complete Unit on Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese
Self-Esteem Activity Creative Therapy Social Emotional Learning CBT
By All Therapy Resources
A group-based creative intervention explores self-esteem helping teenagers and adults develop personal insights about their sense of belonging in the world.
This is a hands-on activity which only requires group members to have a piece of paper and pens or colored pencils. The activity takes approximately 30 minutes long with additional time needed post activity for the reflection questions and rating statement worksheets.
This activity would be perfect as an introduction into our "Pillars of Success" Workbook which you can find here: PILLARS OF SUCCESS - SELF CARE WORKBOOK FOR TEENAGERS AND ADULTS (TeachShare.com)
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Behaviour and Feelings Workbook
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My Anger Management Workbook
SOCIAL SKILLS, PUBERTY, PROTECTIVE BEHAVIOURS, RELATIONSHIPS AND SEXUALITY
Puberty Lesson and Activity Book
Appropriate V's Appropriate Things to Say
Learning about Bodies and Puberty Workbook
Protective Behaviours, Relationships and Puberty Special Game
Stranger Danger Education
Road Safety Social Story
Fire Safety Social Story
Safety In The Community Activity and Educative Book
AUTISM, SOCIAL STORIES & ACTIVITIES
How My Engine Runs Social Story
Teaching Children about Personal Space
Noises Hurt My Ears - Social Story - Sensory Defensiveness
When a loved one dies - grief and loss social story
Understanding Divorce Social Story
Being Nice and Making Friends Social Story
Doing a Poo on the Toilet Social Story
SPECIFIC TEACHING AND COUNSELLING RESOURCES
Supporting Students to Gain Insight through Reflection
Supervision and Reflective Practice Templates
Increasing a Child's Attention Span
Behavioural Strategies for Fostering Self Esteem
Anxious Children - Behavioural Strategies
Children with Attachment and Abandonment Issues: Behavioural Strategies
Recognising Defences in Children
ANGER MANAGEMENT
Anger Management Plan
Anger Management Activity Worksheets
Anger Management Traffic Lights Activity
My Anger Management Workbook
BEHAVIOUR ASSESSMENT AND BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT PLANS
Managing Aggressive Behaviours and Outbursts
Understanding Behavioural Triggers
Behaviour Reward Chart - Girls (editable)
Behaviour Reward Chart - Boys (editable)
Behaviour Thermometer - Incident Prevention and Response Plan (editable)
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TERMS OF USE - Please read my Terms of Use regarding personal and commercial use of All Therapy Resources. You can download the free document here: https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Terms-of-Use-Clarification-For-free-paid-purchases-All-Therapy-Resources-4714723
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Weekly Plan Book Template FREEBIE
By Sign with me TOD
This plan book template is a great resource to help you organize your daily and weekly plans using Microsoft PowerPoint
If you are interested in a custom plan book with colors for the heading that match your school or your classroom theme, please message me, and I can post once created.
This product includes 1 weekly template. The class and subjects can be changed.
You may also be interested in the following products:
Lesson Plan Template #1
https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Lesson-Plan-Templates-8487286
Lesson Plan Template #2
https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Lesson-Plan-Templates-8487440
Plan Book Template:
https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Plan-Book-Template-8492684
If you download this product, and you liked it, please leave me a positive review! :)
AVID Back to School Speed Philosophical Chairs Debate for Public Speaking
By Teach Savvy Store
AVID Back to School Speed Philosophical Chairs Debate for Team Building: Use this speed philosophical chairs icebreaker activity to introduce your students to public speaking/listening and dialogue! Students will not only learn what speed philosophical chairs is but they will enjoy some exciting dialogue through 20 back to school themed debate topics!
For example, students will choose to agree or disagree with the statement, "everyone should be allowed to bring their pet to school."
⭐Save 30% with this AVID BUNDLE!⭐
What's Included:
The Steps:
1. A central statement will be announced to the class and we will define the two sides
of the debate (Agree/Disagree).
2. You will move to the side
of the room with the position that you intend to defend.
3. A timer will be set for 5 minutes, and the debate will start between the two groups.
4. Be concise and attempt to keep you contributions to less than 30 seconds each. The goal is to have an up-tempo debate, where the arguments for and against the prompt are batted back and forth with quick, verbal strokes. When the timer goes off, the conversation is immediately over.
5. A new prompt is displayed and we start another round of quick debates.
*These resources are available for Outschool teachers to purchase without the need for extra licenses.
Check out other AVID resources HERE!
Check out more Back-to-School resources**HERE!**
Check out more Public Speaking resources HERE!
Check out more Collaboration resources HERE!
"History Talk" Print & Go Emergency Lesson Plan
By Language Arts Excellence
If you have ever found yourself in need of a no-prep, print-and-go lesson plan that meets standards and upholds a high level of student learning and engagement, this resource is the perfect tool for your teacher's toolbox! It is ideal for days prior to and returning from vacations, between units, emergency sub plans, or simply those days when we just "can't." (And let's face it, we've all been there!) This product features an engaging "History Talk" activity that will have your students thinking, writing, speaking, and moving all in one class period. In this activity, they must choose between 5 different quotes about history and articulate why the quote aligns with their own perspective. They will have a chance to discuss their opinions in small groups and as part of a full class discussion. The full-length lesson plan can literally be used any day of the school year and is sure to spark thoughtful discussion among your students. Product includes: - Comprehensive Lesson Plan - "History Talk" Sheet for students to fill out - 5 Corresponding "History Quote" signs to hang up around your room _________________________________________________________________________________________ Please note that this resource is similar but not identical to First Day of School "History Talk" Activity and End of Year "History Talk" Activity. If you have already purchased these lessons, please email language.arts.excellence@gmail.com with your order number and date of purchase to receive this lesson for free! (This must be done prior to purchasing this product.) _________________________________________________________________________________________ Also, make sure to check out these great resources by Language Arts Excellence that can be used any time throughout the school year! ⭐ "Still I Rise" (Angelou) Lesson Plan & Materials
⭐ "A Dream Deferred" (Hughes) Lesson Plan & Materials
⭐ "Caged Bird" (Angelou) Lesson Plan & Materials
⭐ Bullying Prevention Powerpoint
⭐ Collaborative Writing Activity
⭐ Close Reading of Informational Texts Powerpoint Presentation
⭐ Figurative Language Challenge Game
⭐ Letter to a Member of our Military
⭐ We Didn't Start the Fire Activity
By Sign with me TOD
This teacher lesson template comes in 3 color variations. Use PowerPoint to add textboxes and include whatever is needed to knock your lesson out of the park!
Areas that you can fill in on these teacher lesson templates are as follows:
Teacher
Subject
Date
Class
Period
Lesson Topic
Essential Question
Objectives
Materials
Technology
Procedures
Assessment
Homework
Accommodations
You may also be interested in the below products:
Lesson Plan Template #2
https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Lesson-Plan-Templates-8487440
Plan Book Templates
https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Plan-Book-Template-8492684
AVID Fun Debate Topics Speed Philosophical Chairs - Team Building Activity
By Teach Savvy Store
AVID Fun Debate Topics Speed Philosophical Chairs - Team Building Activity: Use this AVID speed philosophical chairs icebreaker activity to promote public speaking and dialogue in your classroom! Students will not only learn what speed philosophical chairs is but they will enjoy some exciting dialogue through 20 fun debate topics!
For example, students will choose to agree or disagree with the statement, "older students should still get recess."
⭐Save 30% with this AVID BUNDLE!⭐
What's Included:
The Steps:
1. A central statement will be announced to the class and we will define the two sides
of the debate (Agree/Disagree).
2. You will move to the side
of the room with the position that you intend to defend.
3. A timer will be set for 5 minutes, and the debate will start between the two groups.
4. Be concise and attempt to keep you contributions to less than 30 seconds each. The goal is to have an up-tempo debate, where the arguments for and against the prompt are batted back and forth with quick, verbal strokes. When the timer goes off, the conversation is immediately over.
5. A new prompt is displayed and we start another round of quick debates.
*These resources are available for Outschool teachers to purchase without the need for extra licenses.
Check out other AVID resources HERE!
Check out more Speed Philosophical Chairs resources HERE!
Check out more Public Speaking resources HERE!
Check out more Collaboration resources HERE!
First Day of School Powerpoint Presentation
By Language Arts Excellence
Great resource for new teachers! Show this First Day of School PowerPoint Presentation to your students on the very first day of school to begin the year on a positive and constructive note! This PowerPoint Presentation acts as a framework so that you simply input your own information in order to be relevant for your class. Suggestions for classroom rules and procedures are included to give you ideas on how to fill the presentation, however it is completely editable to fit your needs. This PowerPoint will save you tons of time especially in the beginning of the year when every second counts! Powerpoint covers: - About the teacher - What we'll "do" this year - Classroom rules - Discipline rules - Daily procedures - Materials needed for class - Homework policies - Fire and lock down drills - Fun Quiz - How well were you listening? ___________________________________________________________________________ Purchase PowerPoint as part of the Back to School ELA Bundle for Middle School and save 25% off the cover price: ⭐ Back to School ELA Bundle ___________________________________________________________________________ Also, check out these great products to start your school year off strong by Language Arts Excellence: ⭐ Back to School ELA Escape Room ⭐ Back to School ELA Escape Room - Pop Culture Edition ⭐ First Day of ELA "Book Talk" Activity ⭐ Back to School "Don't Judge a Book by its Cover" Activity
⭐ Back to School Effective Effort Lesson Plan ⭐ Study Hall Expectations Powerpoint Presentation ⭐ Back to School / Open House Brochure ___________________________________________________________________________ ⭐ Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐
By Sign with me TOD
This teacher lesson template comes in 3 different set up variations. Use Microsoft Word to add textboxes and include whatever is needed to knock your lesson out of the park!
Areas that you can fill in on these teacher lesson templates are as follows:
Teacher
Date
Class
Class Period
Standards
Essential Question
Objectives
Materials
Procedure
Homework
Accommodations
You may also be interested in the following products:
Lesson Plan Template #1
https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Lesson-Plan-Templates-8487286
Plan Book Templates
https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Plan-Book-Template-8492684
First Day of School "Art Talk"
By Language Arts Excellence
This product features an engaging "Art Talk" activity that will have your new students thinking, writing, speaking, and moving on the very first day of school. In this activity, they must choose between 6 different quotes about art and articulate why the quote aligns with their perspective on art. I use this lesson every year to set the tone for what I expect in class - it is a great way to gain insight about their current attitudes towards art while they get to know one another with a higher level thinking activity as opposed to the same-old, same-old icebreaker. Product includes: - Comprehensive Lesson Plan - "Art Talk" Sheet for students to fill out - 6 Corresponding "Art Quote" signs to hang up around your room Though I utilize this product on the first day of school, it really can be used all year long. I hope that it is as successful in your class as it is in mine! _________________________________________________________________________ Also, check out these great products to start your school year off strong by Language Arts Excellence: First Day of School Powerpoint Study Hall Expectations Powerpoint Presentation Back to School / Open House Brochure
By Sign with me TOD
This plan book template is a great resource to help you organize your daily and weekly plans using Microsoft PowerPoint
If you are interested in a custom plan book with colors for the heading that match your school or your classroom theme, please message me, and I can post once created.
This product includes two weekly templates to choose from.
You may also be interested in the following products:
Lesson Plan Template #1
https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Lesson-Plan-Templates-8487286
Lesson Plan Template #2
https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Lesson-Plan-Templates-8487440
If you download this product, and you liked it, please leave me a positive review! :)