Have your child compare and contrast Emily Dickinson’s poem, Hope is the thing with feathers with Langston Hughes’ poem Dreams.  What similarities do they notice? (Hint: notice the bird metaphor.) Teach them about the backgrounds of both writers (Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson)

Have them write a poem in the style of either poet. Have them write a poem about their own hopes and dreams. Older children might like to research more about either poet and write a poem or monologue in the voice of that poet. They could memorize these and perform for the family.