Closing Activity:
Read "Phenomenal Woman" by Maya Angelou out loud, as students listen to the poem, they should write words that jump out at them on a piece of paper to help them write their own poem.
Piecing Me Together by
When Jade learns the Spanish word for succeed, she thinks it 's kind of ironic that the English word exit is embedded in it. Tener exito. To succeed. Jade believes she must get out of her poor neighborhood if she 's ever going to accomplish anything. Her mother tells her to take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. And she has. She leaves her friends and neighborhood every day to attend a private school in a wealthy part of the city. She hopes that this year she'll be chosen for the opportunity to participate in the school's amazing Study Abroad program. But there 's one "opportunity" that Jade doesn 't really welcome- joining Women to Women, a mentorship program for at-risk girls. She 's tired of being singled out at her mostly-white school as someone who needs support. And just because Maxine, her college-student mentor, is black and graduated from her high school doesn 't mean she understands where Jade is coming from. Maxine is eager to give back, but most of the "opportunities" she has to offer aren't really what Jade needs. Because Maxine doesn't really get it. And it seems like she has some issues of her own she needs to figure out. Maybe there are some things Jade could show these "successful" women about understanding the world and finding opportunities to be real, to make a difference. Renee Watson once again delivers a thoughtful and relevant story about issues of race, privilege, and female relationships.
What makes you unique?
Book Talk: PIECING ME TOGETHER by Renee Watson.
Creative Project: Introduce girls to Mickalene Thomas, a famous collagist, and have them create their own collage of what represents them and their interests.
Good Morning Yoga by
Calm and awake, "I can do this!" is all I need to say. A deep breath in, a long breath out-- I am ready for the day! This "wake up" story is so much more than a story. It's a practice for kids and parents to greet the morning with joy and embark on their daily adventures with intention and confidence. Turn the page and reach up to the sky, press your feet into the earth, and get ready for a great day!
Affirmation: We will not allow others to define who we are and mistreat us in any way.
Begin practice on what makes poetry important.
Visually represent lyrics of songs on female empowerment.
As a group, perform songs as an OPEN MIC
Example of an Open Mic poetry reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE-c4Bj_RT0
The Poet X by
Fans of Jacqueline Woodson, Meg Medina, and Jason Reynolds will fall hard for this astonishing New York Times-bestselling novel-in-verse by an award-winning slam poet, about an Afro-Latina heroine who tells her story with blazing words and powerful truth. Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking. But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers--especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami's determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. So when she is invited to join her school's slam poetry club, she doesn't know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out. But she still can't stop thinking about performing her poems. Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent. "Crackles with energy and snaps with authenticity and voice." --Justina Ireland, author of Dread Nation "An incredibly potent debut." --Jason Reynolds, author of the National Book Award Finalist Ghost "Acevedo has amplified the voices of girls en el barrio who are equal parts goddess, saint, warrior, and hero." --Ibi Zoboi, author of American Street
GUEST SPEAKER: DATING VIOLENCE
Write poetry to share or keep
Life Doesn't Frighten Me by