Leaves of Grass Lesson Plan

The Poet, Updated

Kind of Activity:

Group Discussion

Objective:

Students will be able to update Emerson's ideas about a national poet for the modern age

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.2

Structure:

Divide students into small groups.

Instruct each group to have a structured discussion about Emerson's essay "The Poet." First they should go over the essay together, annotating it and noting the various points Emerson makes about the importance of a national poet. They should turn these points into a list: What are the characteristics, and what are the tasks at hand, for America's national poet? Students should then work...