Join Us to Discuss Amanda Gorman’s “New Day’s Lyric”
Come together with fellow educators on February 23 at 3:00 p.m. central time to discuss Amanda Gorman’s newly released poem, “New Day’s Lyric.” Experience the excitement of collaborative discussion just like Junior Great Books® students do! A seasoned Great Books trainer will lead your Shared Inquiry™ discussion, asking thought-provoking questions like:
- Why does Gorman present it as a choice to “come over, join this day just begun”?
- Who is Gorman speaking to when she uses “we”?
- Why does Gorman emphasize that we must “come together” to reach the goal she describes?
- Why does Gorman invite people who are “battered,” “torn,” and in “mourning”?
Because poems are especially rich texts in which words may be used in ways that are unusual and surprising, we recommend that you listen to (and watch!) “New Day’s Lyric” multiple times before the discussion. If you would like to read “New Day’s Lyric” as well, you can access a full transcript here.
Free Lesson Plans
In the time since Amanda Gorman delivered her poem for the Biden inauguration, “The Hill We Climb,” her poetry has continued to spark conversations across the country. We offer these Shared Inquiry lesson plans for “New Day’s Lyric” to help teachers and students explore and discuss the poem, and we welcome hearing about your experiences doing so!
Please contact us at gbfconsultant@greatbooks.org to share you and your students’ insights.
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About Amanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman was named the US National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017, becoming the first person to receive the honor. She delivered her poem “The Hill We Climb” during the inauguration ceremony for Joe Biden on January 20, 2021. At 22, Gorman was the youngest poet ever to speak at a presidential inauguration. Her book of poetry Call Us What We Carry, in which “New Day’s Lyric” appears, was published in 2021. More information about Gorman is available here.
Director of Marketing and Development
Dan Lindstrom is the director of marketing and development for the Great Books Foundation. He promotes the important work that the Foundation does for lifelong learners, helping all who are interested to take part in civil discussions about outstanding literature and other objects of inquiry. During his 30 years with the Foundation, he has spoken with dozens of educators who love how Junior Great Books encourages children to express their own opinions about what they have read.
