Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
Teach This Poem: "Instructions on Not Giving Up" by Ada Limón Lesson PlanTeach This Poem: "Instructions on Not Giving Up" by Ada Limón Lesson Plan
Publisher
Academy of American Poets
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th - 12th
Subjects
English Language Arts
2 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
45 mins
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
2 more...
Year
2018
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Lesson Plan

Teach This Poem: "Instructions on Not Giving Up" by Ada Limón

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Teach This Poem: "Instructions on Not Giving Up" by Ada Limón lesson plan also includes:
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica Entry for “Phoenix: Mythological Bird”
  • "Instructions on Not Giving Up: by Ada Limón
  • Activity
  • Join to access all included materials

What do the myth of the phoenix bird and Ada Limón's poem "Instructions on Not Giving Up" have in common? Young scholars create a list of what they notice about both the myth and poem, then consider what the similarities might indicate about the poet's purpose.

3 Views 4 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable

Concepts

making observations, observational skills, poetry analysis, poetry, compare and contrast, myths

Instructional Ideas

  • Use the resource during National Poetry Month in April

Classroom Considerations

  • Class members should be familiar with the noticing approach used in the "Teach This Poem" series

Pros

  • The lesson encourages close reading, builds observation skills, and boosts confidence in poetry analysis

Cons

  • None

Common Core

RL.11-12.10a RL.11-12.10b

See similar resources:

Lesson Plan

I Can Write a Poem

Southern Illinois University
It is so important for English language learners to be able to write for a variety of purposes. Specifically written for an ELD class, this activity provides explicit instruction for teaching learners how to write a poem. First, they...
3rd - 8th English Language Arts
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Agriculture Awareness Through Poetry

Curated OER
Whether you are viewing a landscape painting of a farm, examining a still-life portrait of a bowl of fruit, or reading a descriptive poem about cultivating food, you can't deny that agriculture plays a major role in visual and language...
8th - 10th English Language Arts
Unit Plan

Poetry…Do I Dare?

New York City Department of Education
Whether you're considering a poetry unit or just want to incorporate more poetry in your curriculum, this unit plan is a must-have. Packed with poems, teaching points, powerful prompts, and poetry performance suggestions, the resource is...
9th - 10th English Language Arts
CCSS: Adaptable
Unit Plan

Using Poetry to Explore Change and Belonging

Scholastic
Change, growth, and a sense of belonging are the focus of a unit that uses poetry to explore these themes and the distinguishing features of poetry as well. 
6th - 8th English Language Arts
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Planet Article

Play with Powerful Poetry

Curated OER
Use stations to teach skills relevant to the Common Core and tap into individual creativity.
6th - 8th English Language Arts
Lesson Plan

Teach This Poem: "Heart to Heart" by Rita Dove

Academy of American Poets
Take heart! Here's a lesson that will encourage learners to notice details. After listening to Sarah Vaughan singing "My Funny Valentine" and noting how the word heart relates to Valentine's Day, scholars observe a human heart image....
6th - 12th Science
Lesson Plan

Teach This Poem: “Crisscross” by Arthur Sze

Academy of American Poets
Arthur Sze's poem "Crisscross" launches a lesson that asks scholars to use their observation skills. They first draw an image that reflects what crisscross means to them. They then examine a photograph of a lightning strike and list what...
45 mins 6th - 12th English Language Arts
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Teach This Poem: "My Skeleton" by Jane Hirshfield

Academy of American Poets
Jane Hirshfield's poem "My Skeleton" asks readers to pause and think about the amazing, often taken-for-granted structure that protects and gives form to human bodies. After observing the human skeleton's image, class members read the...
6th - 12th Science
Activity

How to Write an Exaggeration Poem

Poetry4kids
The best poetry writing lesson of all time is here for you! Learn all about the art of exaggeration with a lesson on exaggeration poems, which instructs students to use wild imagery to convey their message.
3rd - 8th English Language Arts
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Myths, Folktales, & Fairy Tales

Curated OER
Introduce the concept of myths to your class. Using the link to "Myths Around the World," read a story aloud and have learners list characteristics of a myth. Readers then choose their own myths from the site and work in groups to answer...
9th - 12th English Language Arts
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use