Poem About Culture And Identity

These classic and contemporary poems explore themes of identity and growing up.

During adolescence, students begin to question and explore their identities, sense of belonging, and who they want to abound into. These difficult still heady questions are a critical part of growing up.

Here is a drove of poems from CommonLit for grades 6-12 that explore dissimilar aspects of identity. Your students will relate deeply to the themes of these meaningful poems!

"I Am Offering This Verse form" past Jimmy Santiago Baca (6th Grade)

In this poem, laurels-winning American poet Jimmy Santiago Baca explores the gift of love. Although the speaker has nothing textile to give the reader, they testify their dearest through poetry. The speaker uses figurative language to explicate how their love can uplift the reader during difficult times. This meaningful slice will make students retrieve about how honey shapes who they are.

"Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes (7th Grade)

In this short poem written by Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes, a female parent uses an extended metaphor to address her son. She compares her life to a staircase to depict the hardships she has experienced. Despite challenges, she connected to persevere and encourages her son to do the same. This text provides students with the opportunity to reflect on the challenges they accept faced and how these experiences accept shaped their identity.

"Identity" by Julio Noboa (seventh Class)

In this verse form, Julio Noboa explores how it feels to be contained. The speaker uses cute imagery to draw different kinds of flowers, which stand for conformity and freedom. This text provides students with the opportunity to talk over the value of individuality and how embracing our independence can make u.s.a. happier.

"Yet I Rise" past Maya Angelou (8th Course)

In this inspirational verse form, Maya Angelou, an important American poet and outspoken activist for Black Americans, describes how she persevered in the face up of adversity and oppression. Students volition be moved past the poem's powerful figurative language. Afterwards reading, ask students Discussion Question i, "What makes you lot who you are? Can other people's opinions affect how you lot come across yourself? How tin can you stay truthful to the real you?"

"Jabari Unmasked" by Nikki Grimes (8th Form)

In this verse form, the speaker explores the thought of hiding parts of one'south identity in a judgemental world. The poem'south unique format provides an interesting opportunity for students to analyze how structure and discussion choice convey the poet's bulletin. After students read, have them discuss how the speaker uses poesy to deal with oppression.

"Jabari Unmasked" text screenshot on CommonLit.org

"The Raincoat" by Ada Limón (9th Grade)

In this heartwarming poem, the speaker reminisces on her relationship with her female parent when she sees a mother giving her daughter her raincoat on the street. This action sparks a moment of realization for the speaker and she understands that her mother made many personal sacrifices to back up her. Inquire students if they have ever had a moment of realization which changed the mode they viewed aspects of or people in their lives.

"Children" by Khalil Gibran (ninth Grade)

In this poem, the speaker explores children'southward relationships with their parents. The speaker explains that children come from their parents but exercise not belong to their parents. Have students talk over what the speaker of the poem means to convey near family relationships, then ask them if they recall their personalities are influenced by their family unit members.

"Children" text screenshot on CommonLit.org

"Immigrants in Our Own Land" by Jimmy Santiago Baca (10th Grade)

In this poem, the speaker describes the experiences of people who exit their homes in search of a improve future. The speaker uses compelling imagery to present the vicious realities many immigrants face, which often rob them of their humanity and take away parts of their identities. This poem can exist used to start a meaningful word about identity and how we hold onto it throughout challenging times.

"Window Seat" by Molly McGinnis (10th Form)

In this poem, the speaker describes a snowstorm from the window of an plane on her way home. The storm reminds the speaker of the sand swirling around her erstwhile home, implying that the speaker used to live somewhere much different, and the memory comforts her. This verse form provides students with the opportunity to explore how their homes and communities have shaped them into who they are.

Side by side Steps

Want to explore the theme of identity and growing upwardly further with your students? Browse more texts nearly identity in the CommonLit library!

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