Inquiries Filed Under:

Patriotism and Poetry

About the inquiry

Patriotism emerges in various methods of and reasons for protesting when grounded in the ideas of liberty, freedom, and justice for all. The rights and freedoms experienced by those in the United States were hard fought over time and due to the tenacious organizing and protests of everyday citizens. Because the arts can act as a mirror to society, analyzing art can be helpful in understanding big ideas and concepts. By analyzing the poem, “The Hill We Climb”, by Amanda Gorman, we are reminded that our country has overcome several injustices in the past, and that hope is what propels us to continue to right the wrong and seek a better America for all. Further, it reminds us that while America might be a “city on a hill” for some, for many, it is “the hill we climb”, thus imparting the importance of the power of protest.

Compelling Question

What can patriotism look like in the United States? (Poetry)

Standards

D2.Civ.14.9-12. Analyze historical, contemporary, and emerging means of changing societies, promoting the common good, and protecting rights.

Instructional Snapshot

Staging: Introduce the idea of the “city on a hill” 1630 sermon by John Winthrop. Teachers may have students brainstorm what they think of when they hear the phrase, “city on a hill”. Is it good or bad? Students may need help being prompted with questions like, “What does it mean to look up to the city on a hill? What might the city represent?” Tell students this is a patriotic metaphor that has been used for centuries for how many see and some experience America as a place of hope and resilience. (5 minutes)

Next, introduce Amanda Gorman and provide context for her 2020 Inauguration performance. (2 minutes) Then, students will watch and listen to Amanda Gorman’s performance of her poem, “The Hill We Climb.” Ask students to jot down words or phrases from the poem that relate to the ideas of hope, resilience, and a third idea, protest. Once students have finished watching the performance, ask students to regroup to share and compare their lists, highlighting repeated words or phrases on their lists. (10 minutes)

Lastly, students will write a rough draft of an elevator pitch addressed to future American students that includes a claim about how the city upon a hill metaphor does or does not reflect hope and resilience in the struggle of patriotism and the importance of civic action. (10 minutes) To conclude, students share their elevator pitches with their small groups. (2 minutes)

Formative Tasks

COLLABORATE: Discussion of city on a hill metaphor, hope, and resilience.

DELIBERATE: Watch and listen to Amanda Gorman’s reading of her poem, “The Hill We Climb”, listening for what reflects hope, resilience, and protest and the city upon a hill metaphor.

PRODUCE: Compose a one paragraph elevator pitch to future American students including a claim about how the city on a hill metaphor does or does not reflect hope and resilience in the struggle of patriotism and the importance of civic action.

Sources

Source A: Amanda Gorman, “For there is always light”, 2021, Library of Congress

Summative Performance Task

No data found.

Taking Informed Action