My second unit, which used Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X, introduced students to the world of poetry analysis. We began with learning about and differentiating between tone and mood, and what goes into the creation of each of these. As we made our way through The Poet X, we began learning about different poetic devices and discussing their meanings within a poem and their overall effect on a text. Eventually, students practiced filling out entire TPCASTT charts as a form of poetry analysis. Farther into the unit, we began exploring identity and discussing intersectionality in the characters of The Poet X, and students began writing their own poetry. The unit culminated in a poetry project and a class poetry anthology.
Big Ideas/Essential Questions
-What are my identities?
-How do my different identities impact each other?
Text Set
–The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
– “You Mean You Don’t Weep at the Nail Salon?” by Elizabeth Acevedo
– “When I Am Old” by Elizabeth Acevedo
– “Hair” by Elizabeth Acevedo
– “Perhaps the World Ends Here” by Joy Harjo
– “On Listening to Your Teacher Take Attendance” -Aimee Nezhukumatathil
– “Introduction to Poetry” by Billy Collins