Reflecting on Amanda Gorman's "The Hill We Climb"
Use these activities to help students reflect on the themes in Amanda Gorman’s Inauguration Day poem and consider how their unique experiences and voices can help America “forge a union with purpose.”
![Photo of Amanda Gorman at Biden's Inauguration.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/AP_21020703530611_fullres_Medium_res.jpg?h=3a61c815&itok=h5ZfP4Bq)
Moral Growth: A Framework for Character Analysis
Students connect the moral development of To Kill a Mockingbird's central characters to the moments in their lives that have shaped their sense of right and wrong.
![A man named Floyd Burroughs stands with four children on a wooden house porch.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/2014_FloydBurroughsWithChildren2_FH131398.jpg?h=76e782aa&itok=X94ixWj8)
Free and Fair Elections: Why Do They Matter?
This mini-lesson uses our Free and Fair Elections explainer to help students reflect on the importance of elections, define the phrase “free and fair elections,” and learn about electoral systems in their region.
![Hand putting Jefferson County Colorado election ballot envelope into ballot drop box in early voting mail election](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/TIFreeFairElections_iStock-1209551764_fullres.jpg?h=62bc044e&itok=S4Nqqy5G)
Act One Review
Students consider the lessons we can learn from Act One of the play, before adopting the perspectives of characters in both drama tasks and written tasks.
![Act One Review](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/phantom-opera-theater.jpg?h=4fa07180&itok=Kn_2C0bS)
Analysing Gerald’s Character
Students develop their understanding of the character Gerald, exploring the differences between his treatment of Eva/Daisy and Sheila, whilst reflecting on Edwardian gender expectations.
![Gold diamond ring.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/Gold_Diamond_Ring_FH2182326.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=DYI_Ti6z)
Bearing Witness to Eva Smith
Students reflect on Priestley’s portrayal of Eva Smith and consider the symbolism of having a character who only appears in the narrative second-hand.
![Woman educator of color reads to the classroom.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/London_School_Classroom_Educator_%20of_Color_2019_FH2117924.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=JbFgqzT_)
Building a Classroom Community
Students work together to create a contract with the aim of developing a reflective classroom community, which is conducive to learning and sharing.
![Uniformed high school students write at their desks.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-04/DSC08346_for_Web_or_Office_Use_0.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=yDlh3Y7c)
The Cost of Labour
Students explore the moral codes of the world of the play, before being introduced to the concept of a universe of obligation and participating in a debate on workers’ rights.
![A sketch by Boardman Robinson of the New York Tribune depicting a miner emerging out of the earth with a pick axe and head seeking the light above.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/graphic_the_miner_emerges_%20FH2169297_0.png?h=0a09c077&itok=8r-ofs5x)
Developing Character Inferences
Students are introduced to the concept of inferencing; they draw inferences from the opening scene of the play, and consider what messages Priestley sends through the language, character and setting.
![Male uniformed British students work on a classroom assignment.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/UK_Classroom_Male_Uniformed_Students_Sikh_2015_FH137600.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=OXt0jVSF)
Differing Perspectives and Conflict
Students begin Act Two of the play, reflecting on the differences in perception emerging between the characters and considering how conflict can arise from such differences.
![Boardman Robinson cartoon of Robert La Follette attacking newspaper press](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/411px-Boardman_Robinson_cartoon_of_Robert_La_Follette_attacking_newspaper_press.jpg?h=4666f868&itok=19Kmw8UP)
Entering the World of the Play
Students begin reading the play, having applied what they have learnt about Priestley and the relevant sociohistorical context to make predictions about its content.
![Simple illustration of a silhouetted woman against a cityscape that is comprised of soot from chimneys](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/AIC_USSR_Poster_Medium_res.jpg?h=1d36513c&itok=K2rjuqQJ)