Watch this video of a superbloom.
The following activities and questions are designed to help your students use their noticing skills to move through the poem and develop their thinking skills so they understand 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.
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Warm-up: Look closely at this image of a reptile sunbathing from National Geographic. What stands out to you? What words might describe how the reptile feels?
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Before Reading the Poem: Watch this video of a superbloom. What stands out in the video? Why? What feelings might seeing a superbloom evoke? Why?
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Reading the Poem: Silently read the poem “Gender Euphoria and the Superbloom” by Jennifer Huang. What do you notice about the poem? Note any words or phrases that stand out to you or any questions you might have.
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Listening to the Poem: Enlist two volunteers and listen as the poem is read aloud twice. Write down any additional words and phrases that stand out to you. You might enjoy listening to the poet reading the poem.
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Small Group Discussion: Share what you noticed about the poem with a small group. How does the poem connect to the image and video from the beginning of class? How do the stanzas show a shift in nature and the elements? How would you describe the speaker in the poem? How does the shape of the first section of the poem differ from the second section?
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Whole Class Discussion: What do you make of the title, “Gender Euphoria and the Superbloom”? What does it mean to feel euphoria? Why might someone feel gender euphoria? (Teachers, you can find resources for this topic under “more context for teachers.”) Who or what makes you feel euphoric? How does the poem use repetition?
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Extension for Grades 7-8: Think back to what you shared about who or what makes you feel euphoria. Write a poem about this feeling. Share your writing with the class.
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Extension for Grades 9-12: What do you make of the last line, “Finally, I am the animal that I am”? Write a poem or an essay in response to your ideas. Share your writing with the class.
“Gender euphoria is defined as satisfaction or joy caused when one’s gendered experience aligns with their gender identity, rather than with the gender they were assigned at birth (Ashley & Ells, 2018). Gender euphoria is an integral experience for many transgender and nonbinary people.” Find more information and resources regarding gender from The Trevor Project.