“Regardless of who wins, an election should be a time of optimism and fresh approaches.”  —  Gary Johnson

It’s November!  My favorite month!  And it’s voting day!  Or at least it is as I type this out.  By the time the mailer picks it up it will be Thursday morning. This is definitely not my favorite time of my favorite month, haha, but I have some relevant ELA resources that jive with America so you can teach great literature while incorporating some history, (or some not history as is the case with “Paul Revere’s Ride”) and maintaining a good old USA motif!

“O Captain!  My Captain!”  –  Walt Whitman

An allegory about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, “O Captain!  My Captain!” is a pretty short poem that packs a pretty rhetorical punch.  This lesson includes some good background information to help students begin their analytical journey.

“I, Too” (Hear America Singing)  –  Langston Hughes

Hughes extended metaphor of “I, Too” was penned in response to Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing.” And this guided annotation lesson helps students dig deeper into the poem.  

“Paul Revere’s Ride”  – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Paul Revere’s Ride,” which is about, well, Paul Revere’s ride through Boston, is a fun read, but not quite historically accurate.  Longfellow definitely took some liberties with the account, but that just makes reading and analyzing the poem all the more fun (for nerdy literary people like me anyway, haha).  This unit includes an original article on Revere’s ride to help students breakdown historical fact from literary liberties.  

Keep an optimistic and fresh approach with ready, print and teach resources!  In honor of voting day 2024 these three resources are also on sale, 20% off through Saturday. 

Happy Teaching!

M.D. Saints
Reading the Rapids
Liberty Dog Writing Co.

Look at these dogs.  They vote for more treats and pets for themselves every time!  Nike especially votes for more lap naps. X)