Inaugural Poems

A Presidential Inauguration only happens once every four years, so it was important for our class to look at this traditional ceremony and the importance of words at this event. Specifically, we looked at the tradition of inaugural poetry. Students learned that an inaugural poet is a more recent tradition, and not all presidents have had poems read at their ceremonies. It was so exciting to see Amanda Gorman read her poem “The Hill We Climb”. Inspired by our reading and analysis of past inaugural poems and poets, students wrote their own inaugural poems!

Students learned that inaugural poems work to identify who we are as Americans and also look to the past and the future to help us appreciate the current moment. Students incorporated these elements in their poems, which also needed to be longer (at least 35 lines).

Enjoy and be inspired! Do you have any memorable Inauguration memories?