Poet Clint Smith reads his poem "Ode to the Only Black Kid in the Class."

Concepts

poetry, poetry analysis, racism, self-awareness, stereotypes, discrimination

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Instructional Ideas

• Have viewers craft their own ode modeled after Smith's poem
• Create a KWL chart for the many references in the poem and then have groups research the unfamiliar reference
• After viewing the video and discussing the poem, show the linked video interview with Clint Smith
• Safia Elhillo's poem "an inheritance," mentioned in the interview, is available on the internet

Classroom Considerations

• Presumes a protocol has been established to permit a safe, respectful discussion of sensitive topics
• Part of the TEDEd "There's a Poem for That" series

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• The reading is accompanied by an animation that illustrates the concepts in the poem

Cons

• None

Common Core

RL.9-10.3 SL.11-12.3