SUMMARY

A year-long project by the nation’s poet laureate focuses on the natural world and what’s at stake due to climate change. Ada Limón's "You Are Here" exhibition will take her to National Parks around the country. Jeffrey Brown spoke with Limón for our series, Art in Action, exploring the intersection of art and democracy and for our ongoing arts and culture coverage, CANVAS.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Who is Ada Limón?
2. What aspect of the natural world do Limón's poems focus on?
3. Where does Limón set her natural world poems?
4. How does Limón say Mary Oliver, one of America's most impactful poets, influenced her?
5. Why does Limón focus on the impact of climate change?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

1. What do you think the impact of writing poems about climate change may be on readers?
2. What has been your experience with poetry in school or outside of school?

Media literacy: How might poetry that focuses on climate change impact how readers understand the issue that straight news stories may not be able to do as effectively?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

FOR MORE

What students can do: Check out the rest of the Art in Action series with a friend, classmate or relative. Ask the question: Why is it important to have news stories about arts and culture and not just domestic/international politics and conflict?

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