Discovering Walt Whitman. A Guided Lesson Plan for Teaching Poetry

Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass is a groundbreaking collection exploring human identity, the individual's relationship with society, and the celebration of the physical form. Published in 1855, it challenged conventional poetry norms with free verse and an unrestrained exploration of the self. Whitman reflects on the interconnectedness of the city, the self, and the body, presenting the city as both a literal and metaphorical space where the self is shaped, and viewing the body as a vibrant expression tied to both the urban and spiritual realms.
In this lesson plan, students will apply the vocabulary, collocations, and stylistic devices they have learned by collaborating in groups to annotate a poem. Each group will analyze a poem, write a two-paragraph essay, peer-review each other's work, and deliver an oral presentation. This process enhances their writing, communication, and analytical skills.
Marc A. Bauch is a Community Teaching Assistant for ModPo: Modern and Contemporary American Poetry at the University of Pennsylvania and for Poetry in America at Harvard University.

After graduating and completing his studies at Saarbrücken University and in the US, including the Kelly Writers House at the University of Pennsylvania and the Barker Center at Harvard University, Marc A. Bauch undertook a traineeship at the teacher training seminar in Neunkirchen (Saarland, Germany) from 2002 to 2004. Since 2004, he has been a teacher for English, mathematics, computer science, and digital media. Along with his role as subject conference leader, he also organized student exchanges. In 2013, he earned his Ph.D. in American Studies/American Literature from Saarbrücken University, his subjects were American Studies/American Literature (major), English Literature and Mathematics (minors). His dissertation explored the American musical. He is also a community teaching assistant for Poetry in America, an online course from Harvard University, and for ModPo: Modern and Contemporary American Poetry at the Kelly Writers House at the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, he is the convener of the European Time Zone Meetup Group for ModPo.