After Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

by Natasha Rao

Writing Workshop

Workshop Title: Identity

Step 1

Start by watching the embedded video, a brief overview and analysis of the film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. When it’s done, briefly discuss the ways in which the protagonist of the film, Miles Morales, feels about his identity.

Step 2

Read “After Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” by Natasha Rao. When you’re done, briefly discuss how the speaker of the poem feels about her own identity. How does she currently feel? What does she wish was different?

Step 3

Say, “Take some time to reflect on your own identity. What do you value? What do you like/dislike about yourself? Are there “better selves” that you’d like to inhabit? Try to come up with as many different descriptors of yourself as you can.” Then give them 5-10 minutes to brainstorm.

Step 4

Have your students write a poem similar in sentiment to Natasha Rao’s “After Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” in which they reflect upon and comment on their identity.

Step 5

When the students are done, have them share their responses with one another.

The full presentation may be found HERE.

Analytical Lesson

Area of Focus: Various

Step 1

This lesson allows students to analyze various concepts and skills, so it is recommended that you have covered several of the “standalone” lessons before assigning this one. The prominent literary devices & techniques that this particular poem includes are diction, selection of detail, figurative language, syntax, and tone.

Step 2

Start by showing the following video, a brief overview and analysis of the film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Step 3

Before you read the poem, tell your students that they’re going to be looking at a piece that draws inspiration from the film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Tell your students to be thinking about the similarities between what they know of the film and of the content of the poem itself while you’re reading aloud. Then read the poem “After Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” by Natasha Rao.

Step 4

After you’ve read the poem, ask your students to discuss why, in their opinion, the poem was named after the Spider-Man film. What similarities did the two share? How did the poet draw inspiration from the film?

Step 5

Tell your students to open the following document and go over the introduction and instructions with them. In this assignment, your students are going to explore the “self-concept” theory that was touched upon in the video and discuss how it pertains to the speaker of Natasha Rao’s poem. Then give your students time to work.

Step 6

When the students are done, have them share their responses with the rest of the class. Allow some time for discussion, if needed.

Lesson Details

Lesson Info

Focus

  • Various

Themes

  • Aging
  • Family
  • Health / Health Care / Illness
  • History
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • Philosophy

Literary Tags

  • Diction
  • Figurative Language
  • Selection of Detail
  • Structure (Syntax)
  • Tone