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Black History Poetry Exploration

Grade 6English1 days

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The Black History Poetry Exploration project engages 6th-grade students in analyzing and interpreting the themes, messages, structure, and style of Black poetry. Through activities such as researching historical contexts, creating digital posters, and presenting on poets, students deepen their understanding of American history, cultural diversity, and the impact of poetry in expressing African American experiences. The project emphasizes creativity, analysis, and communication, helping students appreciate literary contributions and develop their own artistic expressions inspired by Black poets.

Black PoetryCultural DiversityAfrican American HistoryLiterary AnalysisCreative ExpressionCommunication SkillsHistorical Context

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.What can we, as 6th/7th-grade students, learn from the culture and history of Black poetry, especially focusing on its themes, messages, structure, and style, to enhance our understanding of American writing and society, and appreciate the diversity it contributes to literature?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

How do poems written by Black poets reflect the cultural and historical context in which they were written?
How can the themes and messages in Black poetry contribute to our understanding of American history and society?
In what ways do the structure and style of Black poetry influence its impact and meaning?
What role does poetry play in preserving and conveying African American experiences and perspectives?
How can analyzing the work of Black poets deepen our appreciation of literary and cultural diversity?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will analyze and interpret themes and messages in poems written by Black poets.
Students will understand the historical and cultural context of Black poetry and its significance in American literature.
Students will evaluate the influence of structure and style in Black poetry on its meaning and impact.
Students will develop an objective summary of poems that reflect African American experiences.
Students will enhance their appreciation and understanding of literary and cultural diversity through the study of Black poets.

Common Core Standards

RL.7.2

Primary

Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.Reason: Students will explore and analyze Black poetry to identify themes and central ideas, and summarize them, which directly aligns with determining and analyzing the development of themes in texts.

RL.7.a

Primary

Students will analyze how a cultural work of literature, including oral tradition, draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types, and how the differing structure of the text contributes to society, past or present.Reason: Students will analyze Black poetry focusing on themes and structure, gaining insights into its cultural impact and societal contribution, aligning with analysis of cultural works and structures.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

The Poetry Time Capsule

Imagine you are creating a time capsule filled with Black poems that future students will discover 100 years from now. As a class, students can discuss which themes and emotions these poems capture and why they are significant to preserve for future generations. This encourages students to inquire about the societal impact of these poetic works and their relevance today.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Cultural Context Explorers

Students will delve into the cultural and historical background of Black poetry to understand the societal circumstances surrounding its creation. This exploration will enhance their comprehension of the content and themes of the poetry.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research the historical period when the selected Black poem was written, focusing on significant cultural events and societal issues of the time.

2. Identify major cultural events or societal issues during that period and gather relevant information.

3. Design a digital poster that visually connects the historical events or issues to the themes or messages of the poem.

4. Share and discuss the digital poster with classmates, explaining the connections and insights gained.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA digital poster linking historical context with poetic themes.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with RL.7.a by analyzing cultural works and their societal contributions.

Activity 2

Poetic Perspective Presenters

Students focus on presenting the African American experiences and perspectives as reflected in Black poetry, highlighting the unique voices and contributions to literature.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Choose a Black poet and study multiple poems authored by them to understand their perspective.

2. Identify recurring themes or messages across the selected poems.

3. Prepare an oral presentation that explains the poet’s perspective and its reflection in their work.

4. Present to the class, using visuals or props to enhance engagement and understanding.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn oral presentation showcasing the poet's perspective and its literary contribution.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with RL.7.2 by providing an objective summary of African American experiences and character perspectives.

Activity 3

Diverse Literary Tribute

After a comprehensive study of themes, structure, and context, students create a tribute piece celebrating the cultural diversity and literary contributions realized through Black poetry.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Reflect on the poems studied and choose a central theme or message that resonated deeply.

2. Create a new artistic or literary piece—a poem, song, or art—that embodies the essence of the chosen theme.

3. Share the tribute piece with the class, explaining the inspiration and connection to the Black poetry studied.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn original tribute piece that embodies the themes and messages of Black poetry.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with both RL.7.2 and RL.7.a by enhancing appreciation of cultural diversity in literature.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Black Poetry Exploration and Analysis Rubric

Category 1

Historical Context and Theme Connection

Evaluate the ability to connect historical events and cultural contexts to themes in Black poetry.

Criterion 1

Understanding of Historical Context

The depth of student research and explanation of the historical period related to the poem.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates a comprehensive and sophisticated understanding of the historical context, showing clear and detailed connections to the poem's themes.

Proficient

3 Points

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the historical context and makes appropriate connections to the poem's themes.

Developing

2 Points

Shows partial understanding of the historical context with some relevant connections to the poem’s themes.

Beginning

1 Points

Displays minimal understanding of the historical context with limited connections to the poem’s themes.

Criterion 2

Theme Analysis

The effectiveness of identifying and analyzing themes or messages within the selected poems.

Exemplary

4 Points

Offers insightful and thorough analysis of themes, highlighting nuanced understanding and perception.

Proficient

3 Points

Provides clear and well-structured analysis of themes, showing a solid understanding.

Developing

2 Points

Identifies themes with some basic analysis, though lacking depth.

Beginning

1 Points

Identifies themes superficially with limited to no analysis.

Category 2

Creative Expression and Interpretation

Assessment of creativity and originality in expressing themes and cultural significance through diverse media.

Criterion 1

Creativity and Originality

The originality and creativity in expressing chosen themes through artistic or literary tributes.

Exemplary

4 Points

Shows exceptional creativity and originality in the artistic or literary tribute with a strong connection to the theme.

Proficient

3 Points

Displays creativity and a clear connection to the theme with effective execution in the tribute.

Developing

2 Points

Shows some creativity but may lack clear thematic connection or originality.

Beginning

1 Points

Displays limited creativity and minimal connection to the theme.

Category 3

Presentation and Communication Skills

Evaluates students' ability to effectively communicate their analysis and interpretations orally and visually.

Criterion 1

Presentation Clarity and Engagement

The clarity, organization, and engagement level of the oral presentation.

Exemplary

4 Points

Presentation is highly organized, engaging, and delivered with exceptional clarity and confidence, effectively using visuals or props.

Proficient

3 Points

Presentation is organized and clear, with effective engagement and good use of supporting materials.

Developing

2 Points

Presentation is somewhat organized with moments of clarity but lacks consistent engagement.

Beginning

1 Points

Presentation shows limited organization and lacks clarity and engagement.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

What is one significant theme or message from Black poetry that you personally connected with during your study, and why?

Text

Required

Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how much has studying Black poetry enhanced your understanding of American history and cultural diversity?

Scale

Required

Question 3

How did creating a digital poster or an original tribute piece help solidify your learning about Black poetry and its cultural context?

Text

Optional

Question 4

Which poet did you study, and what new insights did you gain about their perspective and its reflection in their work?

Multiple choice

Optional

Options

Langston Hughes

Maya Angelou

Gwendolyn Brooks

Amiri Baraka

Others

Question 5

In what ways can the themes and styles of Black poetry influence modern society and young people like yourselves?

Text

Required