The Gathering Place by Amanda Gorman

By Amanda Gorman

The Gathering Place

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Lesson Standards

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify and describe the key themes and symbols in "The Gathering Place."
• Analyze the use of literary devices, such as metaphor and imagery, in the poem.
• Provide evidence from the text to support their interpretations.
• Engage in thoughtful discussion and reflection on the poem's significance.

I will develop my skills in literary analysis, including identifying literary devices, interpreting figurative language, and using evidence to support their interpretations.

To analyze and appreciate the poem "The Gathering Place" by Amanda Gorman, exploring its themes, language, and symbolism.

Learning Objective

Language Objective

Learning Intention

1. What is the central message or theme of "The Gathering Place" by Amanda Gorman?
2. How does Amanda Gorman use literary devices to convey her message?
3. What do you think the poem's title, "The Gathering Place," signifies?
4. How can poetry like this inspire and mobilize people to create positive change?

Essential Questions

Have you ever been deeply moved or inspired by a poem or piece of spoken word? Share your experience briefly in the chat!

Amanda Gorman (b. 1999) describes herself as a poet, activist, and change-maker. At 19, she is the first-ever Youth Poet Laureate of the United States. She published her first poetry book, The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough, in 2015. She has studied at Harvard, worked with the U.N., and started a community platform focused on literacy and youth activism. “The Gathering Place” was written by Gorman for the Social Good Summit in 2017.*Watch Study Sync Video

Amanda Gorman

• Note any literary devices, symbols, and your initial reactions.
• identify common themes

As we read

The Gathering Place as read by Amanda Gorman

The poem opens by naming the location of the gathering place for which it is titled—the corner of East 92nd and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. Under the fluorescent lights of a pulsing city, this space is a village where people open their doors to each other and let hope grow. People meet in this village among the rhythms of concrete and steel and subway cars. Each building contains residents from every continent on the globe. In this gathering place, the inhabitants, with their various cultures and languages, make grand plans that impact the world. The poem then details three specific New Yorkers who have used their voices to shape the city and bring about change. In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker explains how this village inspires the speaker to dream big and to make the world a better place.

Summary

The Gathering Place

Quiz