Lesson Plan Practicing Poetic Analysis with Native Hawaiian Poetry
- Grade Level 9th-12th Grade
- Date Published May 2022
- Time Period 2010 - Present
Introduction
This lesson surveys the work of two contemporary Native Hawaiian poets, Jamaica Osorio and Donovan Kūhiō Colleps. Students will be working to analyze two poems, “Kāhulu” by Donovan Kūhiō Colleps and Jamaica Osorio’s “Kumulipo”. Students will receive a brief lesson on Hawaiian culture and history with a specific focus on Native Hawaiian perspectives. The lesson will explain the importance of ancestral preservation, the significance of family, the preservation and protection of nature, and the impact of colonialism and the U.S annexation of Hawaii. These themes will be explored in the literary analysis of the poems, which will be guided through a supportive annotation process and guided questions.
Essential Questions
Where in Kumolipo’s text do you see themes of family and ancestry?
What kind of tone and persona did the speaker take on in her oral presentation?
What kinds of sounds can you identify in the poem? What is the speaker’s purpose in putting certain phrases together, or saying something with specific intention?
What impact do colonialism and language erasure have on the speaker?
How does each poem function to celebrate Native Hawaiian roots?