Free Higher Education Back to School Printables

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.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

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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

Back to School |Meet the Teacher Gift Tags | Retro & Preppy Checkered: Help welcome students back to school with these preppy peace, love and school buses gift tags! Perfect to pair with your meet the teacher or open house gifts. :)

Get the student gif tags bundle HERE!

What's Included

• 1 pdf peace sign and school bus gift tag page
• 4 gift tags to a page

Directions

• print
• cut out
• hole punch
• attach to a gift

✨More Gift Tags✨

Back to School Gift Tags

Very Happy You are Here Smiley & Checkered

Teacher Appreciation Gift Tags

Flair Pens

Smiley & Checkered Teacher Appreciation

Latte Gift Tag

Sub Way Gift Tag

State Testing Gift Tags

Good Luck Checkered & Smiley

End of the Year Resources

State Testing Coloring Pages & Bookmarks

State Testing Gift Certificate

Flower Gift Tag

Font Credits

Oh Hey ELA!

This FREE colorful clip art set includes 10 high quality, colored pencil graphics!!

Perfect for back to school, school themes, and all kinds of occasions!

For personal & commercial use to incorporate in your classroom creations!

SET INCLUDES:

- Normal pencil

- Blue pencil

- Aqua pencil

- Green pencil

- Mint green pencil

- Purple pencil

- Light purple pencil

- Red pencil

- Orange pencil

- Yellow penicl

- White pencil

- Black + white copy

400 DPI | PNG format | High Resolution

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Feedback is also appreciated! Thank you!

Follow me on instagram @SareBearDesigns to keep up with me

on social media for updates, previews & more!

__________________________________________________________________
Summary of Terms of Use:

Clip art may be used in educational commercial products. All images must be secured in a pdf file if you're using the images in products you sell. Presentation uses (PowerPoint/SmartBoard) are allowed in commercial products as long as the image is flattened as part of a background. Images may be used in lessons, activities, SMART board or PowerPoint lessons/activities that are not distributed or sold. Images may not be displayed in blog posts, websites or anywhere on the Internet in their original form. Commercial credit is required! A link to SarebearDesigns is required in both commercial products and freebies. You can link back with either a text link or a logo that's included in the zip file. FULL TOU included in the zip as well.

Ready to brighten up your classroom? Our Soft Pastel Bulletin Board Borders are here to add a touch of charm and calm to your classroom decor as well as your door decor. Perfect for back-to-school, these printable borders will make your classroom feel welcoming and stylish.

What's Included:

• 8 Different Designs Pastel Bulletin Board Borders
• Broad borders with 3 to 3.5 inch size
• Narrow borders with to 2 to 2.5 inch size

Why You'll Love It:

• Easy to Use: Just print and trim, and you're all set!
• Beautiful Colors: Pastel hues that create a soothing atmosphere.
• Super Versatile: Great for doors, walls, and bulletin boards.
• Fun Designs: Keeps your students engaged and excited.
• Back-to-School Ready: Start the new year with a fresh and beautiful look!

Stay in the loop with all our new products and sales by hitting that follow button on our store page!.

Just click on the ⭐FOLLOW BUTTON and you'll be the first to know about all the juicy details!

Looking for more bulletin board kits and classroom decor theme? Explore the options that will suit your needs:

Ocean Animal Bulletin Board Kit

Boho Rainbow Classroom Decor Bundle

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Summer Bulletin Board Kit Bundle

Retro Revival Bulletin Board Kit

Math Zone Bulletin Board Kit

Please note that this is a digital item. No physical item will be shipped to you.

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Want to keep your classroom decor fresh and fun all year round? Join my email list to stay updated with the latest resources, special offers, and exclusive freebies. As a thank you for joining, you'll receive an extra FREE SET of Botanical Bulletin Board Borders to complement your collection.

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• Visit your "My Purchases" page
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*Terms & Conditions*

By purchasing from ©️Monica Classy Creation, you agree to the following terms. All designs are for personal or single classroom use. No product may be re-sold, uploaded to a shared drive or website, copied or shared with others. Even other teachers. All contents of this product are under copyright protection. Thank you for respecting my hard work in creating this product.

This FREE colorful Apple clip art includes 10 high quality graphics!

Perfect for back to school, fall and harvest themed activities!

9 vibrant colors + black and white!

For personal & commercial use to incorporate in your classroom creations!

SET INCLUDES:

- Red Apple

- Yellow Apple

- Green Apple

- Dark Green Apple

- Orange Apple

- Blue Apple

- Light Blue Apple

- Purple Apple

- Pink Apple

- Black and White

300 DPI | PNG format | Easily manipulated

Follow me on TeachShare for more freebies, clipart designs & to keep an eye out for deals!

Feedback is very much appreciated! Thank you!

Follow me on instagram @SareBearDesigns to keep up with me

on social media for updates, previews & more!

__________________________________________________________________

Summary of Terms of Use:

Clip art may be used in educational commercial products. All images must be secured in a pdf file if you're using the images in products you sell. Presentation uses (PowerPoint/SmartBoard) are allowed in commercial products as long as the image is flattened as part of a background. Images may be used in lessons, activities, SMART board or PowerPoint lessons/activities that are not distributed or sold. Images may not be displayed in blog posts, websites or anywhere on the Internet in their original form. Commercial credit is required! A link to SarebearDesigns is required in both commercial products and freebies. You can link back with either a text link or a logo that's included in the zip file. FULL TOU included in the zip as well.