My Father, Swimming

Writing Workshop

Workshop Title: Swimming

Step 1

Ask your students, “Can you remember a time when you saw somebody completely out of their “element”? What was that like? Why were they out of their element? Did this experience reveal a new side of them?” Then briefly discuss.

Step 2

Read “My Father, Swimming” by Rage Hezekiah. When you’re done, discuss the speaker’s portrayal of their father in that moment. What side of him did the speaker see that they did not see before?

Step 3

Say “Think of a moment when you witnessed somebody out of their element. Or out of their “normal” selves. What was that like? Why do you recall this moment? Recreate that memory as much as possible.” Give them a few minutes to brainstorm.

Step 4

Ask your students to compose a poem similar in sentiment to “My Father, Swimming” in which they portray somebody – in a specific moment – out of their element or typical character.

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: Various

Step 1

This lesson allows students to analyze various concepts and skills, so it is recommended that you have covered several of the “standalone” lessons before assigning this one.

Step 2

Start the lesson by walking your students through the following presentation.

Step 3

Now read “My Father, Swimming” by Rage Hezekiah. As you are reading, ask your students to make “mental highlights” of the similarities or patterns they notice throughout the text. When you’re done reading, briefly discuss your students’ takeaways from the text.

Step 4

Ask your students to open the following document and go over the introduction and instructions with them. In this assignment, your students are going to highlight the piece with four different colors, each one marked by a specific pattern found within the text. When you’ve gone over the directions, give your students time to work.

Step 5

As students are working, go through their work and copy/paste several examples into your own blank presentation or document. You will use these examples to lead the class in a discussion momentarily.

Step 6

Stop students with 20 minutes left. Then project a few of the examples on the board. Ask your students to try to identify the similarities between specific highlighted words/phrases from the text. Discuss.

Step 7

Before class concludes, make sure to underscore the importance of finding one’s own, unique method of highlighting/annotating a text; there’s no one prescribed means that works best for everybody!