Teacher Script: Poetic Power: Girls Rise!

Introduction: What's Your Story? (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to dive into something really special: the power of words, especially for Black girls. We're going to explore how poetry can be a superpower!"

"Let's start with a quick thought. Has anyone heard the word 'stereotype' before? What does it mean to you?"

(Allow students to share their understanding. Guide them to define it as a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.)

Teacher: "Exactly! Stereotypes are often unfair or untrue ideas about groups of people. Now, think about this: Can a poem help you tell your true story, a story that goes against those stereotypes? How might it do that?"

(Encourage a brief discussion, highlighting that poems allow for personal expression.)

Teacher: "Today, we're going to see just how powerful poetry can be. We'll explore poems written by amazing Black women and girls who use their words to challenge unfair ideas and celebrate their beautiful, strong selves. And then, you'll get a chance to start crafting your own poetic power!"

(Transition to Poetic Power Slide Deck, Slides 1-2)

Exploring Poetic Voices (25 minutes)

Teacher: "I'm going to hand out a Poetic Voices Reading with a few poems. As we read them together, I want you to listen for the messages these poets are sending. Think about what they are saying about being a Black girl, about strength, about overcoming challenges."

(Distribute Poetic Voices Reading. Read the poems aloud as a group, or have volunteers read. After each poem, facilitate a discussion using the following prompts and refer to Poetic Power Slide Deck, Slides 3-5.)

Teacher: "For this first poem, what feelings did it evoke? What do you think the poet wants us to understand about her experience?"

Teacher: "In this next poem, how does the poet challenge a common idea or expectation? What words did she use that felt especially strong or important?"

Teacher: "What themes do you notice across these poems? Are there any recurring ideas about identity, power, or resilience?"

Unpacking Stereotypes and Strengths (20 minutes)

Teacher: "Now that we've seen how poets can challenge ideas, let's try something ourselves. Sometimes, people have stereotypes about Black girls. For example, some might unfairly think Black girls are always... [Display a common, age-appropriate stereotype (e.g., 'loud', 'uneducated', 'only good at sports') on the board or via Poetic Power Slide Deck Slide 6]."

Teacher: "This is a stereotype, and it's not fair or true. How can we 'bust' this stereotype? What positive words or phrases, what truths, can we use to show the real strength, intelligence, and beauty of Black girls? Let's take about 5 minutes for this discussion."

(Write down student suggestions, encouraging them to think of empowering adjectives and descriptions.)

Teacher: "Fantastic ideas! You just used your words to fight back against a stereotype. Now, let's take a few minutes for some personal reflection. I'm going to give you a My Poetic Identity Worksheet. On this worksheet, I want you to quickly think about what makes you unique, what strengths you have, and what story you want to tell the world, specifically focusing on Part 1 of the worksheet."

(Refer to Poetic Power Slide Deck Slide 7. Give students about 5 minutes to brainstorm individually on Part 1 of the worksheet.)

Teacher: "Excellent! Now, let's make this even more powerful. We're going to do a new activity called the My Power Anthem Activity. In your small groups, you'll brainstorm collective 'power words' – words and phrases that describe the incredible strength, resilience, and beauty of Black girls. Think about what makes you all powerful and what positive messages you want to send. We'll be working on Part 1 of this activity."

(Refer to Poetic Power Slide Deck Slide 8. Guide students to work in small groups for about 10 minutes on Part 1 of the My Power Anthem Activity. Circulate and support.)

Crafting Our Narratives (25 minutes)

Teacher: "Great work, everyone! You've generated some incredibly strong 'power words.' Now, let's transition to starting your own poem. First, look at Part 2 of your My Power Anthem Activity sheet. From all the amazing words we just brainstormed, choose 3-5 'power words' that you definitely want to include in your own poem. These words will be your foundation for celebrating your unique identity as a Black girl."

"Your poem can be about anything that celebrates you – your dreams, your family, your heritage, your strength, or challenging a stereotype you've heard. Use the prompts on your My Poetic Identity Worksheet and your chosen 'power words' to help you get started. Think about:"

• "What makes you proud?"
• "What challenges have you overcome?"
• "What message do you want to share with other Black girls?"

(Refer to Poetic Power Slide Deck Slide 9. Give students about 5 minutes to select their personal power words and brainstorm before beginning to draft their poems. Then, provide about 20 minutes for students to begin drafting their poems. Circulate around the room, offering support, encouragement, and answering questions. Remind them that it's a first draft and the goal is to get their ideas down.)

Share & Reflect (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Wow, I can see so many powerful words forming! We're almost out of time, but before we go, would anyone like to share just one line, one stanza, or even just one word from their poem that represents a strength they want to celebrate?"

(Create a supportive environment for voluntary sharing. Acknowledge and praise all contributions.)

Teacher: "To wrap up, I'm going to give you a Reflective Journal Entry. I want you to take a few minutes to write about what you learned today about the power of your voice and how poetry can help us celebrate ourselves and others."

(Refer to Poetic Power Slide Deck Slide 10. Distribute journals/paper and allow students to write.)

Teacher: "Thank you all for sharing your voices and your powerful thoughts today. Remember, your story is important, and your voice is a gift. Keep writing, keep sharing, and keep rising!"

Poetic Voices: Unapologetically Us

Still I Rise

by Maya Angelou (excerpt)

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops.

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines

Diggin' in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise.

Girl, Wonder

by Jasmine Mans (excerpt, adapted for age-appropriateness)

You are a wonder, girl, a map of dreams.

A garden growing, blooming where it seems

No flower could survive, no tender leaf unfurl.

You are a strong, bright, beautiful Black girl.

They might tell you to shrink, to quiet your song,

But your melody is needed, where you truly belong

Is shining bright and loud, letting your spirit soar.

Be all of you, and then be even more.

Your laughter, your ideas, your curious mind,

Are treasures waiting for the world to find.

So stand tall, little queen, let your magic gleam,

You are a powerful, undeniable dream.

Legacies

by Nikki Grimes (excerpt, adapted for age-appropriateness)

My grandmother's stories are woven in my hair,

In the rhythm of my walk, in the way I care.

She taught me strength, a quiet, steady kind,

To speak my truth, and leave no good behind.

They tried to fit her in a box, small and tight,

But her spirit soared beyond, into the light.

She broke the molds, with grace and clever hands,

And showed me how to rise in shifting sands.

So when they try to tell me who I ought to be,

I remember her, and stand up, proud and free.

My legacy is built on hers, strong and clear,

Whispering, 'You are enough, my dear.'

My Poetic Identity Worksheet

Name: _____________________________

Part 1: Busting Stereotypes & Finding Your Truth

1. Think about a stereotype you might have heard about Black girls. Write it down here:
   
   
   
   

2. Now, write down words or phrases that show the truth about Black girls, words that fight against that stereotype. What positive qualities do you see?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. How do you personally challenge stereotypes just by being yourself? What makes you unique and powerful?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Celebrating YOU!

Think about all the amazing things about yourself. These are ideas for your poem!

1. My Strengths: What are you good at? What positive qualities do you have? (e.g., kind, creative, smart, strong, funny, resilient, a good listener)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. My Passions/Dreams: What do you love to do? What do you dream about for your future?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What makes me proud of who I am? (Think about your heritage, your family, your culture, your achievements, your personality.)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. A message I want to share with other Black girls is... (What advice, encouragement, or truth would you tell them?)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Brainstorming for Your Poem

What are some key words, phrases, or images from your answers above that you definitely want to include in your poem? Circle them or list them here:

My Power Anthem Activity: We Rise!

Name: _____________________________

Part 1: Our Collective Strength

In your small groups, brainstorm words and phrases that describe the strength, resilience, beauty, and unique qualities of Black girls. Think about:

• What makes you powerful?
• What unfair ideas do you want to challenge?
• What positive messages do you want to send?

Write down as many powerful words and phrases as you can here. We'll share these as a class!

Part 2: My Personal Power Words

Now, from the brainstormed words above, and your own ideas, choose 3-5 words or short phrases that you want to include in your poem to describe your unique power and identity.

These will be your 'power words' to help you start your own poem!

Reflective Journal: My Poetic Voice

Name: _____________________________

Take a few minutes to reflect on today's lesson. Write your thoughts and feelings about the power of poetry and your own voice.

1. What was one new idea you learned today about poetry or about challenging stereotypes?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How did hearing the poems today make you feel about yourself or about being a Black girl?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. How can writing poetry help you express your true self and celebrate who you are?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. What is one thing you would tell another Black girl about the importance of her voice?