Literature Curriculum Project Syllabi

Poetry Lesson Plan
Suggested Level for teaching students: Upper Level High School
Bushwick Community High School-New York

Lesson Plan using Allen Ginsberg’s “America”

OVERVIEW: Previously in this unit, students were introduced to the poems “Let America Be America Again” by Langston Hughes and “why is we american?” by Amiri Baraka. Students have been discussing the questions What does it mean to be American? What is American poetry? How does identity shape poetry? When/why is poetry political?

Today, students will read about the epistle form and listen to and discuss Allen Ginsberg’s poem “America”.

AIM: What is an epistle poem? How can this form be used to call attention to political and/or personal issues?

OBJECTIVE(s): Students will become more familiar with the epistle form and ways they can use it in their poetry.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:The Handbook of Poetic Forms. ed. Ron Padgett; “ America” by Allen Ginsberg – Naropa Archive reading?; text found in HOWL and Other Poems, City Lights Books.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:

Do Now (5 minute period of writing in journal): Choose one of the questions you asked Amiri Baraka in last night’s homework and answer from the point of view of anyone you know. Start your journal addressing your answer to yourself. For example, I might start, Hey Rachel! or, My Dearest Rachel.

Brief class discussion:

Read about and discuss the epistle form of poetry.

Introduce Allen Ginsberg and his poem “America”. Students will underline details they notice in the poem while listening to Ginsberg read it.

Audio: Allen Ginsberg reciting his poem “America”.

Click Here to Stream Audio
Click Here to Download

Discussion:

Is Ginsgerg’s poem an epistle poem? Why/why not?

What kinds of differences/similarities do you notice between his poem and the Hughes, Baraka poems we’ve read?

HOMEWORK/FOLLOW UP LESSONS: Students will research at least two of the historical references in Ginsberg’s poem and bring notes about those historical references to class tomorrow.

This syllabus is credited to Rachel McKeen
Bushwick Community High School, New York