Ode to Kindergarten

Writing Workshop

Workshop Title: School

Step 1

Ask your students, ” What’s the first memory you have of school? Why does it stand out? If you can’t think of your first memory, what’s your fondest memory? And why?” Then give them time to discuss.

Step 2

Watch “Ode to Kindergarten” by Amina Fatima. When you’re done, briefly discuss the poet’s memories of kindergarten. Why does she remember that class so vividly?

Step 3

Have your students take a bit of time to think of their first or fondest memories of school. Why did they stand out? Ask them to write down everything that they can remember, jotting down at least one memory that utilizes each of the five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.

Step 4

Ask your students to write a poem similar in sentiment to “Ode to Kindergarten” in which they recount their first or fondest memory of school and discuss the reasons why that memory is so important to them.

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. The prominent literary devices & techniques that this particular poem includes are diction, selection of detail, figurative language, structure, and tone.

Step 2

Ask your students to share their first or fondest memory of school. Then ask them why that particular memory stands out.

Step 3

Show your students the following performance. Then ask them why the poet’s memories of kindergarten stand out so much to her.

Step 4

Have your students open the following document and go over the introduction and directions with them. In this assignment, your students are going to have to identify teachers’ “superpowers” and justify their identification of them using the text of the poem. Then give your students time to work.

Step 5

When your students are done, have them share their “superheroes” and ask them briefly to explain – using textual evidence – why they gave their superheroes their superpowers.