The Poet X Book Club
This 4-week book club explores Elizabeth Acevedo’s ‘The Poet X’ through discussion, poetry analysis, and creative writing. Students will build confidence in self-expression and critical thinking while connecting with peers.
Mr. D
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(1)
New on Outschool
What's included
4 live meetings
4 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. 3-6 throughout the classClass Experience
1. What Will Be Taught?
Literary Analysis: Themes of identity, family, religion, and self-expression through poetry.
Creative Writing: Slam poetry techniques and personal narrative development.
Critical Thinking: Discussing systemic issues like sexism, body image, and generational conflict.
2. Topics Covered
1 Finding your voice, slam poetry basics, Xiomara’s early struggles
2 Family dynamics, religious expectations, rebellion vs. tradition
3 Body positivity, first love, empowerment through art
4 Confronting trauma, breaking silence, community and growth
3. Class Structure
4 weekly sessions (45–55 minutes each).
Weekly Breakdown:
Discussion (20–30 mins): Analyze poems, share reactions.
Activity (15–20 mins): Collaborative analysis or creative writing.
Sharing/Reflection (5–10 mins): Peer feedback or SEL check-ins.
4. How Will You Teach?
Discussion-Based: Guided questions (e.g., “How does Xiomara’s faith conflict with her desires?”).
Interactive Tools:
Jamboard for theme analysis (e.g., drag-and-drop symbolism exercises).
Nearpod/Googldoc for sharing original poems.
Multimedia: Short clips of Elizabeth Acevedo performing slam poetry (e.g., her TED Talk).
5. Teaching Style
Student-Centered: Focus on learner interpretations and experiences.
SEL-Focused: Safe space for sharing personal connections to the text.
Encouraging: Celebrate creativity through praise and constructive feedback.
6. Learner Interaction
Discussion: 60% of class time (open-ended questions, small-group chats in breakout rooms).
Collaborative Activities:
Create a “Theme Map” for Xiomara’s journey.
Creative Writing:
Write and share original poems inspired by the book (e.g., “A Letter to My Younger Self”).
Games/Quizzes: Quick Kahoot quizzes on plot points or poetic devices.Learning Goals
Analyze themes of identity, family, religion, and empowerment through poetryAnalyze themes of identity, family, religion, and empowerment through poetry
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
The Power of Voice
Focus: Introduction to Xiomara’s world, slam poetry, and identity. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Family, Faith, and Rebellion
Focus: Xiomara’s relationship with her mother, religion, and self-expression. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Love and Liberation
Focus: Xiomara’s relationship with Aman, body image, and empowerment. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Breaking Silence
Focus: Xiomara’s final poems, confronting trauma, and finding freedom. 60 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The Poet X contains mature themes that require careful handling. Here’s how to address them:
Content Warnings
Sexual content: References to kissing, objectification, and body image struggles
Violence: Brief physical discipline by a parent and street harassment
Language: Occasional profanity
Religion: Criticism of Catholicism and exploration of personal faith
Pre-Requisites
n/a
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Acevedo, Elizabeth. The Poet X. HarperTeen, 2018.
Teacher expertise and credentials
I’ve been teaching for 10 years now, and for the past few years, I’ve taught African American Studies. Over the years, I’ve taught this subject at the high school level in public schools and have had the opportunity to work with a wide range of students. This experience has given me a strong understanding of how to break down difficult topics such as police brutality, the transatlantic slave trade, racial violence and lynching, and the work of African American authors.
In addition, I’ve worked as a district curriculum writer for African American Studies, which has been incredibly beneficial to my teaching. It has deepened my understanding of the Texas standards for AAS and the curriculum writing process. I bring that knowledge back to my classroom, helping students to better grasp the concepts taught in this course.
When it comes to working with students, I’ve taught students ranging from ages 13 to 19. I’ve taught in traditional classrooms as well as in resource classes. My goal is to create a space where students feel comfortable asking questions, discussing challenging topics, taking ownership of their learning, and ultimately understanding that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to.
I believe in making learning as relatable as possible and always strive to bring real-world connections to the content. With my experience teaching African American Studies, and my passion for teaching. I am confident in my ability to guide students on Outschool in exploring The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo in a way that is both educational and relevant.Reviews
Live Group Class
$5
weekly1x per week, 4 weeks
60 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
2-11 learners per class
