A New National Anthem

Writing Workshop

Workshop Title: New National Anthem

Step 1

Show your students the embedded clip from The Daily Show. Then ask them why Mark Cuban felt the need to remove the National Anthem from the Mavericks’ home games, why he felt like the anthem was problematic.

Step 2

Read “A New National Anthem” by Ada Limón and discuss the similarities between the two takes (Limón’s and Cuban’s).

Step 3

Give your students some time to come up with a list of characteristics or qualities they’d like to see in their ideal America.

Step 4

Have your students write their own version of the National Anthem, one that reflects the qualities and values that they hope to see in America.

Step 5

When the students are done, have them share their responses with one another.

The full presentation may be found HERE.

Analytical Lesson

Area of Focus: Tone

Step 1

If your students are not familiar with the concept of tone or tonal shifts, go through the introductory lesson.

Step 2

Show your students the following clip from The Daily Show. Then ask them why Mark Cuban felt the need to remove the National Anthem from the Mavericks’ home games, why he felt like the anthem was problematic.

Step 3

Read “A New National Anthem” by Ada Limón and discuss the similarities between the two takes (Limón’s and Cuban’s).

Step 4

Have your students open the following document and go over the instructions with them. In this assignment, the students will analyze the poem and find images that support and reflect the speaker’s tone/attitude in each of the two halves.

Step 5

When your students are done, have them share their responses with one another. If time permits, you may show the exemplar essay.