American Girl Dolls...

by Kortney Morrow

Photo by Dawnie Marie

Writing Workshop

Workshop Title: Issue

Step 1

Have your students watch the clip from Key and Peele. Then have them discuss what the clip is mocking and how it goes about doing so.

Step 2

Go over the concept of satire and social commentary by watching the embedded video.

Step 3

Read “American Girl Dolls Attend Mandatory Diversity Training” by Kortney Morrow. Then briefly discuss the different societal issues she brings up in her poem and what makes the poem satirical.

Step 4

Give them a couple of minutes to talk to one another about some of the societal issues that they see every day.

Step 5

Have your students write a “satirical” poem in which they provide social commentary on an issue of their choice.

Step 6

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, tone, and structure.

Step 2

Play the following clip from The Onion for your students. While they’re watching, have them try to determine the “issue” or group of people that the satirical clip is mocking. Then briefly discuss.

If needed, you can show them the following video to introduce them to the concept of satire.

Step 3

Read “American Girl Dolls Attend Mandatory Diversity Training” by Kortney Morrow. Then briefly discuss the different societal issues she brings up in her poem.

Step 4

Have your students open the following document. In this lesson, the students will analyze the different sections of the text and create an original meme that also comments on the issue(s) raised. Your students may work in groups for this assignment.

Step 5

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

Lesson Details

Lesson Info

Focus

  • Various

Themes

  • Class
  • Community / Culture
  • Creativity / Imagination / Writing
  • History
  • Race / Ethnicity / Racism

Literary Tags

  • Diction
  • Selection of Detail
  • Structure
  • Tone