Understanding the Significance of “The Hill We Climb” By Amanda Gorman

In this one-time class young learners will grow to appreciate the words of Amanda Gorman and her now renowned poem that spoke to the soul of America as she called for all of us to have hope as we resolve to unify. Her words, cadence and persona added to the significance of the inauguration. 

In this one-time class, learners will learn about Amanda Gorman, who overcame educational and social challenges to become our nation’s first Youth Laureate Poet. She also became the youngest poet to speak at a presidential inauguration. We will learn about Gorman’s  activism as we look at two of her poems: (1) “The Hill We Climb”, the now well-known inaugural poem and her equally compelling poem “ Miracle in the Morning”.  We will look at the significance of the selected lines from both poems and examine how these poems have both historic and literary merit.

After analyzing her poetry learners will have the opportunity to write their own poems, as well. This class hopes to inspire learners, through Amanda Gorman’s life and poetry, to want to make a difference in the world.

The one-time learning session will be conducted as the following:

•	Welcome and introduction to Gorman and interesting facts about her life- -5 minutes

•	A video reading of ”The Hill We Climb “ – 15 minutes
•	A look at the rhyme, scheme and meaning  of the poem. 
•	(a copy of the poem will be posted on the Outschool wall)

•	Poem: Miracle in the Morning- 10 minutes
•	A look at the meaning of the poem.
•	(a copy of the poem will be posted on the Outschool wall)

•	Using the “I am” poem template learners will write their own poems - 10
•	(a copy of the poem template will be posted on the Outschool wall)
•	Wrap-up

As a lover of African-American literature, poetry, in general and as an American-African mom I was inspired by Gorman's life story, example and, much more important, her message of hope and unity. As a homeschool mom, I was teaching my young sons about her , and one of them asked if everybody knew about her. When my homeschool lesson was over I told them I would tell others. This class is the result of that promise to them.