Lesson Plan: I Am From: Exploring Our Stories Through Poetry
Published on January 14, 2026
I Am From: Exploring Our Stories Through Poetry
Freedom 250
📝 Overview
This lesson plan (LP) offers students opportunities to explore key themes of personal stories and journey as they learn about early 20th Century American urbanization. Students will analyze and write poetry as they make connections to aspects of their own personal histories.
📚 Teacher Goals
This lesson plan (LP) guides teachers to:
- use student-centered teaching practices
- guide students to express creativity through original poems
- prompt students to collaborate, communicate, and think critically
🎯 Student Goals
As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:
- express personal histories through writing
- understand reasons people in the United States moved from rural to urban areas in the 20th Century
- deepen their appreciation for unique histories and experiences that shape American culture
📖 Key Vocabulary
Below, you can find key vocabulary related to I Am From: Exploring Our Histories Through Poetry. You will find a glossary of definitions on page 11 of the downloadable lesson plan.
- conditions
- crowded
- factory
- to immigrate
- manufacturing
- opportunity
- rural
- surround
- urban
✅ Next Steps
🤔 1. Ask Questions
Before teaching this lesson, ask any remaining questions you have about the lesson plan content or techniques in the "Comments" section below. This is a great space to ask for clarifying information from the Access Team and other Access educators!
Before teaching this lesson, ask any remaining questions you have about the lesson plan content or techniques in the "Comments" section below. This is a great space to ask for clarifying information from the Access Team and other Access educators!
📷 2. Document Your Experience
While teaching this lesson, take photos and videos of students and their work. We encourage you to share compelling student photos, videos, artifacts, quotes, and relevant instructional resources in the Freedom 250 Interest Community!
While teaching this lesson, take photos and videos of students and their work. We encourage you to share compelling student photos, videos, artifacts, quotes, and relevant instructional resources in the Freedom 250 Interest Community!