Module 4: Poetry Choice: Biographical Poetry: Poetry Break

Miss Crandall's School

for Young Ladies & Little Misses of Color

Poems by Elizabeth Alexander

and Marilyn Nelson

Poets Elizabeth Alexander and Marilyn Nelson tell the story of Prudance Crandall's school for "Young ladies and Misses of colour" through short sonnets in this collection of poetry. Prudence Crandall was an educator, emancipator, and human rights advocate who fought great battles to change a world when few agreed with her determination. She proved herself to be an outspoken champion for equality of education and the rights of women. The poems, in this award winning book, are written from the perspective of the students at Miss Crandall's school.

Before using this poetry book, read: Forbidden Schoolhouse: The True and Dramatic Story of Prudence Crandall and Her Students by Suzanne Jurmain. This will create an understanding between the correlation between the true story and the innovative voices found in Miss Crandall's School for Young Ladies & Little Misses of Color.

Introduction: This lesson would be effectively taught during February's, Black History Month. Share background information regarding the non-fiction novel (Forbidden Schoolhouse: The True and Dramatic Story of Prudence Crandall and Her Students by Suzane Jurmain). Discuss what Miss Crandall and her students faced while showing their courage to stand up to those who tried to discourage them. Let students express their feelings towards this injustice and how they might react as students who were discriminated against.

Hunger

The flour tin has been empty for a month.
No one in town will sell us anything,
no milk, no flour, no salt, no eggs, no tea.

The townsfolk have invented their "Black Laws"
to drive us out, keep everyone away
so we will stop our learning, leave, or starve.
They celebrate their laws with cannon fire.

We girls are not accustomed to rough bread
but learn to eat leaves made from stone-ground meal
and drink tea from the many different weeds
Mariah and Sarah discuss and sort.

In the cellar summer kitchen, salt pork,
sacks of kidney beans, potatoes sprouting
eyes we'll bury in dirt inside, and tend.

Extension: Have students enter a role play situation and write "unsent letters" home as students of Miss Crandall's school. Each student will write three letters describing their first impressions of Miss Crandall's school, when the "Black Laws" are established, and when the school is closed. Students must use their imagination and engage in interpretive and evaluative thinking. Provide a sharing period at the culmination of this extension activity.

Awards

• Winner in the category of Children's Author for the 2008 Connecticut Book Awards.
  Featured in BOOK LINK's "Best New Books for the Classroom" list in the November 2007 issue.
• Will be featured in BOOK LINK'S "Top Ten in Black History" list in the February 1, 2008 issue.
• Featured in MOSAIC 2007, an annual multicultural literature exhibit hosted by Lincoln (NE) Public Schools Library Media Services. The exhibit featured the best and most current multicultural titles from 2006-2007.
• Included in the 2008 edition of The Best Children’s Books of the Year, an annotated bibliography from the Children’s Book Committee of Bank Street College of Education in New York City.

Alexander, Elizabeth and Marilyn Nelson. 2007. Miss Crandall's School for Young Ladies & Little Misses of Color. Pennsylvania: Wordsong.

Photo courtesy of http://www.wordsongpoetry.com/