7.5 Poems: I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman and I, Too by Langston Hughes
Learning Intentions In this section you will … ✓ Read two poems reflecting on life in America. ✓ Respond creatively to a poem. ✓ Compare two poems.
Before Reading
We all see the world in different ways. One person’s idea of a great place to live might be another person’s idea of a place they’d never want to spend any time. Work in pairs. Student A: Come up with a list of reasons why Ireland is a great place to live.
Student B: Come up with a list of reasons explaining why Ireland is not such a great place to live.
Report back to the class. 26
Poem 1: Reading
You are about to read two poems about life in America – each with very different views on life there. The first poem is I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman (1819 – 1892). As you read, make notes of the positive aspects of America that the poem highlights.
