Teach This Poem, though developed with a classroom in mind, can be easily adapted for remote-learning, hybrid-learning models, or in-person classes. Please see our suggestions for how to adapt this lesson for remote or blended learning. We have also noted suggestions when applicable and will continue to add to these suggestions online.
Look closely at the famous poster of “Rosie the Riveter.”
The following activities and questions are designed to help your students use their noticing skills to move through the poem and develop their thinking about its meaning with confidence, using what they’ve noticed as evidence for their interpretations. Read more about the framework upon which these activities are based.
“‘Rosie the Riveter’ was an iconic poster of a female factory worker flexing her muscle, exhorting other women to join the World War II effort with the declaration that ‘We Can Do It!’ Mae Krier, 93, an original Rosie the Riveter, worked at Boeing aircraft, producing B-17s and B-29s for the war effort from 1943 to 1945 in Seattle. She is advocating Congress for getting March 21 recognized annually as a Rosie the Riveter Day of Remembrance. Saying she wants to inspire a ‘We Can Do It!’ attitude among young girls everywhere, she also is advocating that Congress award the Rosies the Congressional Gold Medal for their service.” Read more.