Lesson Idea | Gwendolyn Brooks

This Grade 1–3 language arts and social studies activity introduces students to poet Gwendolyn Brooks during Women’s History Month, highlighting her achievements as the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. After learning about her life and writing style, students explore shape poetry, where words are arranged inside the outline of an object (such as a raindrop, snowflake, or plant). Using the provided activity sheet and art supplies, students create their own shape poems, fostering creativity, writing skills, and appreciation of women’s contributions to literature.