Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: At a Window by Carl Sandburg

For Students 7th - 8th
Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) was an American poet and writer who won three Pulitzer Prizes in his lifetime. His work is known for the way it plays tribute to the common man. "At A Window" was published in Poetry in 1914. As you read, make...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement:sor Juana:la Monja Y La Escritora:las Redondillas Y La Respuesta

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson plan, learners will consider Sor Juana, la monja y la escritora: Las Redondillas y La Respuesta. Worksheets and other supporting materials can be found under the Resources tab. Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, the first great...
Website
National Women's Hall of Fame

National Women's Hall of Fame: Gwendolyn Brooks

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Women's Hall of Fame offers a biography of renowned black American poet Gwendolyn Brooks.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Archibald Mac Leish

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site houses three poems in full text from the great American poet Archibald MacLeish (1892-1982 CE), as well as criticism on two of his most famous. The three pieces are 'Baccalaureate', 'Two Poems from the War', and 'An Eternity'.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Additional Poems by h.d.

For Students 9th - 10th
This site houses full texts of numerous poems by the American poet Hilda Doolittle. Among the poems are "Sheltered Garden," "Sea Poppies," and "Cities," to name just a few.
Primary
Blackdog Media

Classic Reader: "By the Bayou St. John" by Alice Dunbar

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the full text of the short story "By the Bayou St. John" by Alice Dunbar, an African American poet, journalist and political activist. Among the first generation born free in the South after the Civil War.
Website
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Yusef Komunyakaa

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a link to two interviews of Komunyakaa: on poetry and on the heritage of jazz for African American poets. There is a commentary on "Tu Do Street". There are several links to other Komunyakaa sites.
Handout
Poetry Foundation

Poetry Foundation: Lucille Clifton (1936 2010)

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical information on the life and works of poet Lucille Clifton.
Website
Poetry Foundation

Poetry Foundation: Maya Angelou (1928 2014)

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the life and works of poet and writer Maya Angelou, complete with detailed biography, bibliography, links to poems and articles.
Website
Poetry Foundation

Poetry Foundation: Gwendolyn Brooks (1917 2000)

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Gwedolyn Brooks, the first African American woman author to win the Pulitzer prize. With career information and links to many of her poems, some with audio. Listen to podcasts about her work and read articles about the...
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Poet of the American Revolution: Philip Freneau

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
One poet, Philip Freneau, incorporated the new stirrings of European Romanticism and escaped the imitativeness and vague universality of the Hartford Wits. The key to both his success and his failure was his passionately democratic...
Website
New York Times

New York Times: Helene Johnson, Poet of Harlem, 89, Dies

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An obituary for Helene Johnson, a famous Harlem Renaissance poet. Includes quotations from some of her poems.
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Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Walt Whitman: Poet of the People

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource from Khan Academy and the Association of American Medical Colleges provides study content for the MCAT. This resource provides practice questions about Walt Whitman.
Handout
Bibliomania

Bibliomania: Oliver Wendell Holmes Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
Ths Bibliomania site provides a biography of the 19th century American poet Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894). Discusses his ancestry, childhood, education, and career in medicine and literature. Includes analyses of his works and a...
PPT
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: An Indian Boarding School Photo Gallery

For Students 9th - 10th
Photographs of Native American children at several Indian schools from the late 19th century and early 20th century.
Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: John Haines

For Students 9th - 10th
This note on the poet John Haines includes an example of one of his verses.
Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Eavan Boland

For Students 9th - 10th
This American Academy of Poets site provides a biographical sketch for the Irish poet Eavan Boland with a link to the full text of "The Pomegranate." External links to other resources.
Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: A Brief Guide to the Fireside Poets

For Students 9th - 10th
Concise explanation of the term "Fireside poets" (also called the "schoolroom" or "household" poets). It's mainly a discussion of the poetic movement, and it discusses many of the important figures including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,...
Activity
Shmoop University

Shmoop: Parsley

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the poem, Parsley, by African American poet, Rita Dove. This site goes into detail examing the poem and its signifciance.
Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: The Poet's Trade

For Students 9th - 10th
Poets.org presents the text to Amy Lowell's essay, "The Poet's Trade." The essay is two paragraphs in length and links to related essays are also provided.
Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: A Brief Guide to Metaphysical Poets

For Students 9th - 10th
Concise explanation of the term "metaphysical poetry." It's mainly a discussion of the seventeenth century poetic movement, but it also includes some information about John Donne and other specific poets.
Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Joy Harjo

For Students 9th - 10th
Quick biography of poet Joy Harjo describing her works and achievements. Includes photograph.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Michael S. Harper

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Michael S. Harper, an African-American poet whose sensitive, personal verse is concerned with ancestral kinship, jazz and the blues, and the separation of the races in America.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Melvin Tolson

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical information on Melvin Tolson, an African-American poet who worked within the modernist tradition to explore African-American issues.

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