Refuge Poem by JJ Bola – A Poetry Analysis & Lesson on the Meaning of Home | Middle & High School English Language Arts
This ready-to-teach poetry lesson uses the powerful poem “Refuge” by JJ Bola to help middle and high school students explore themes of identity and belonging.
Students will engage in close reading, listening, and analysis of the poem before diving into reflective writing about the meaning of home, making this lesson both rigorous and deeply personal.
Perfect for English Language Arts, Social Studies, or Identity & SEL-focused classrooms, this resource is designed for 1–2 days of instruction (approximately 90 minutes total) and includes editable materials to adapt for your classroom needs.
What’s Included:
Student-facing slides to guide the full lesson
✍️ Editable handouts for reading, analyzing, and responding to the poem
Poem transcript for close reading & annotation
Discussion and writing prompts focused on author’s purpose, word choice, and tone
Extension activity: The Meaning of Home journal writing (a student favorite!)
✅ Links to make a copy of each editable handout
Skills Covered:
Poetry analysis
Annotation & textual evidence
Author’s perspective
Personal narrative writing
Identity & belonging themes
A powerful standalone lesson. Whether you're diving into poetry, launching an identity unit, or building a culture of student voice, this one resonates.
Refuge Poem by JJ Bola – A Poetry Analysis & Lesson on the Meaning of Home | Middle & High School English Language Arts
This ready-to-teach poetry lesson uses the powerful poem “Refuge” by JJ Bola to help middle and high school students explore themes of identity and belonging.
Students will engage in close reading, listening, and analysis of the poem before diving into reflective writing about the meaning of home, making this lesson both rigorous and deeply personal.
Perfect for English Language Arts, Social Studies, or Identity & SEL-focused classrooms, this resource is designed for 1–2 days of instruction (approximately 90 minutes total) and includes editable materials to adapt for your classroom needs.
What’s Included:
Student-facing slides to guide the full lesson
✍️ Editable handouts for reading, analyzing, and responding to the poem
Poem transcript for close reading & annotation
Discussion and writing prompts focused on author’s purpose, word choice, and tone
Extension activity: The Meaning of Home journal writing (a student favorite!)
✅ Links to make a copy of each editable handout
Skills Covered:
Poetry analysis
Annotation & textual evidence
Author’s perspective
Personal narrative writing
Identity & belonging themes
A powerful standalone lesson. Whether you're diving into poetry, launching an identity unit, or building a culture of student voice, this one resonates.
