Inaugural Poetry

Grade Levels: 5 - 8

Objectives

• Students will read and respond to poetry.
• Students will learn about the history of inaugural poetry.
• Students will discuss poetic devices.

Materials

Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to give you copies of the following poems, but you may find them on these websites.
• Copies of Miller Williams' poem "Of History and Hope"
• Copies of Maya Angelou's poem "On the Pulse of Morning"
• Copies of Robert Frost's "The Gift Outright" and "Dedication"

Procedures

1. Discuss the history of poetry at U.S. presidential inaugurations. Here is some background information.

   Three times in U.S history, poetry has been read at presidential swearing in ceremonies. Robert Frost read his poetry for John F. Kennedy in 1961. Bill Clinton asked Maya Angelou to read her work for his 1993 inauguration. In 1997 Clinton again asked a poet, Miller Williams, to read for the inauguration. Like Clinton, Williams is an Arkansas native.

   Robert Frost certainly reflected Kennedy's background of New England pride and prominence. By asking Angelou to read, Bill Clinton started his presidency speaking to the power of diversity and inclusion in a true democracy.

   All of these poems are beautiful works of art, but have also become political documents, speaking to specific moments of time in the U.S.

   A side note: Robert Frost actually wrote "Dedication" for John F. Kennedy's swearing-in ceremonies. When the sunlight made it difficult for Frost to read his poem, he recited a poem he knew by heart, "The Gift Outright".

2. Distribute poems.
3. Organize students into small groups, asking each group to discuss and analyze one poem. Ask students to answer some or all of the following questions in their groups. Groups can hand in their answers, or simply relay what they discussed after the group work is complete.
1. How does this poem reflect the times during which it was written?
2. How does the poet make us think about the past? How does the poet make us think of the future?
3. What are the poet's dreams for the future? Cite examples.
4. Cite any examples of personification. How is personification used in each poem?
4. After students have completed this assignment, ask one member of each group to read the poem aloud.
5. Another student from each group should paraphrase the group's discussion of the poem.
6. Open up the discussion for the whole class.

Additional Activities

1. Ask students to write a poem that will inspire America as well as speak to her past and future.
2. Ask students to find another poem that would be appropriate for an inaugural ceremony. Students could memorize the poems and then recite them in class.
:: PRINTER FRIENDLY
Related Links
• Harry Potter Haiku
• Types of Poetry
• Metaphor Unit Poems
• Prose and Poetry Connection
• Tell Me a Story, Write Me a Poem!
• More Resources


President-Elect Obama

Get your students involved in the issues facing the U.S. President-elect with these activities, articles, and lessons. Imagine a day in the life of the new president, read the inaugural addresses from past presidents, teach your class about the Cabinet, and more.

January Events

Find educational resources for every day in January. Fill your January lessons with activities for Letter Writing Week (Jan. 4-11), Martin Luther King Jr Day (Jan. 19), Chinese New Year (Jan. 26), National Puzzle Day (Jan. 29), National Book Month.

After-School Activities

Enrich before- or after-school programs with fun and educational activities. This slideshow features games, arts & crafts, holiday activities, science projects, and more for all ages.

2009 Calendar

Incorporate fun seasonal events and landmark dates, with our 2009 Educators' Calendar. Each day of the year features links to activities related to whatever is being celebrated that day, week, or month, from Martin Luther King Day to Letter Writing Week!

Bulletin Boards

Whether you teach science, reading, art, or social studies, you're sure to find the perfect bulletin board to fit your current theme or topic of discussion.

Theme Library

Our comprehensive Theme Library organizes TeacherVision content by seasonal and academic themes – making it easier for you to offer cross-curricular lessons and appeal to all of your students' needs and interests.

Daily Printables

Add a TeacherVision widget to your blog, personalized homepage (such as iGoogle or Pageflakes), or social networking sites (such as Facebook). Our widgets feature a different fifth-grade language arts printable or fourth-grade math printable for each day of the year.