After all references...

Writing Workshop

Workshop Title: Recognition

Step 1

Have your students hold a discussion about groups of people who deserve to be “recognized.” Give them 5-10 minutes.

Step 2

Read the embedded article and discuss how the subjects in it – transgender invidivuals – tie in with the discussion held a few minutes earlier.

Step 3

Read the poem by heidi andrea restrepo rhodes and discuss her feelings toward the proposed policy and, more importantly, the people who would be affected by its implementation.

Step 4

Have them write a poem to a group they feel needs more recognition. Give them 15 minutes.

Step 5

When the students are done, have them share their responses if they feel comfortable enough to do so.

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,” go through the introductory lesson with them.

Step 2

Have your students open the document they will be working in and read the introduction to give them the historical context behind the poem.

Step 3

Read “After all references to transgender Americans are scrubbed from government websites…” by heidi andrea restrepo rhodes. As they’re reading, simply have them determine the message that she is trying to convey.

Step 4

Read the directions with your students, then have them complete the assignment. In the assignment, they will have to identify where in the poem the different tones take place and determine how each of those tones is achieved.

Step 5

When the students are done, have them share their responses with one another. Then, if time permits, share the exemplar essay.