The Poetry of Ada Limón Lesson Plan

Creating a New National Anthem Through Blackout Poetry

Kind of Activity:

Creative Writing

Objective:

Students will gain a deeper understanding of the origin and context of the US national anthem as well as for Black nationalism in the US, and use Limón's poem plus that information to create a new national anthem via blackout poetry.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.7, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.7, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.4, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1

Structure:

As a class, read the original full text of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Francis Scott Key. Then have the class read "A New National Anthem" by Ada Limón...