Nikki Giovanni celebrates her birthday on June 7. is an American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. One of the world鈥檚 most well-known African American poets, her work includes poetry anthologies, poetry recordings, and nonfiction essays and covers topics ranging from race and social issues to children鈥檚 literature.
Nikki Giovanni has won numerous awards, including the Langston Hughes Medal and the NAACP Image Award. She has been nominated for a Grammy Award; she was also named as one of Oprah Winfrey鈥檚 25 Living Legends.
This resource from 楼凤天堂 features primary source materials, including many of Giovanni鈥檚 poems reprinted in full, plus easily adaptable lessons and activities, and a resource section for students and teachers wishing to study Giovanni further.
Nikki Giovanni spoke as part of the with the Library of Congress. She discussed a recent collection, “Make Me Rain: Poems & Prose,” with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.
An example of using Giovanni鈥檚 work can be found in the the ReadWriteThink.org lesson plan In her poem 鈥淣ikki-Rosa,鈥� Nikki Giovanni describes specific moments from her childhood. How can you turn your childhood events into a poem?
Curious about the 楼凤天堂 and Library of Congress connection? Through a grant announced by 楼凤天堂 Executive Director Emily Kirkpatrick, 楼凤天堂 is engaged in ongoing work with the Library of Congress, and 鈥渨ill connect the ELA community with the Library of Congress to expand the use of primary sources in teaching.鈥� Stay tuned for more throughout the year!
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