From the Classroom of Courtney Kleffman (SDAWP 2020)
In her TED Talk, “Using Your Voice is a Political Choice,” Amanda Gorman emphasizes the importance of speaking out in spite of the fears that may hold us back. She poses two questions.
- “Whose shoulders do you stand on?”
- “What do you stand for?”
The lesson steps outlined below can guide classroom discussions and reflective writing that lead to the creation of impactful anti-hate messages.
How do you help your students understand the importance of standing for something and expressing it? What texts and resources do you use to teach your students that their voices are powerful and can be used to create positive change in their communities?
Link to lesson reel HERE.
Step 1: Watch
Watch Amanda Gorman’s TED Talk: “Using Your Voice is a Political Choice.”
Step 2: Write
Gorman poses two questions to her poetry workshop participants:
- “What path do we stand on as a people?
- “What future, as a people, do we stand for?”
Write in response to the two questions:
- I stand on the shoulders of…
- I stand for…
Step 3: Prewriting
Students will begin developing their #USvsHate products by thinking through the connection between their:
- Message / what you stand for
- Audience
- Purpose
- Genre
Landon, 5th grade, Student Sample
Step 4: Create and share student messages
Landon, 5th grade. Spring 2024 Special Call Winner
SDAWP Voices 