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Lesson Plan

Thanksgiving with Richard Blanco's "América"

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Thanksgiving with Richard Blanco's "América" lesson plan also includes:

Traditions, like the times, are a-changin'. Middle schoolers conduct a close reading of Richard Blanco's poem "América" and consider how Blanco's family approached his suggestions for adopting a new approach to their Thanksgiving meal.

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CCSS: Designed
Concepts
poetry, poetry analysis, thanksgiving, close reading, critical thinking, hispanic culture, descriptive writing
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Instructional Ideas
  • Use during a study of Thanksgiving traditions or Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15
  • Have groups research the references to TV shows and historical events and share their findings with their classmates
  • Project the Harper's Bazar cover throughout the lesson
  • Have Spanish speakers offer translations of and explanations for the Spanish words in the poem
Classroom Considerations
  • Requires projection equipment for the magazine cover and individual copies of the poem
Pros
  • Includes before, during, and after reading activities
Cons
  • Some learners may need additional scaffolding to grasp the nuances of the poem