The Novels in Verse Collection: Unit Possibilities [S7 EP. 243]

Listen to the full episode below:

Have you ever considered how novels in verse can transform the way you teach poetry and literature? In this episode, we dive into the world of narrative verse and explore how these texts,  like The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, can bring poetry to life in your classroom!

With their accessible format and rich themes, novels in verse offer endless possibilities for fostering student engagement while covering essential literary skills and perspectives. We’re breaking down two powerful approaches to teaching these texts: a skill-based focus and a theme-based focus. Whether you’re filling gaps in poetry instruction or bringing underrepresented voices into your curriculum, both avenues are highly adaptable!

As always, we’re here to support your planning with our best tips and resources for making these units work in your classroom. Be sure to download our free theme notes sheet AND  join us in Happy Hour, because that’s where we’ll be dropping our novels in verse unit for you. We’ll be continuing this conversation in our next episode where we’ll dig into essential questions!

Topics Discussed:

  • Two avenues that we have found successful with novels in verse

  • How you can use our free note taking guide to apply these ideas to your lessons

  • How novels in verse can boost student confidence and can be paired with other texts

  • Choosing an essential question and supplemental texts to go with a novel in verse

  • Questions to ask yourself to determine whether a skills-based approach or theme-based approach is best for you

More Resources:

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More about Brave New Teaching:

Join hosts Amanda Cardenas (Mud & Ink Teaching) and Marie Morris (The Caffeinated Classroom) in discussions about being brave, trying new things, and all things teaching! As seasoned classroom teachers, Amanda and Marie bring their experience, insight, energy, and oh, so many opinions and ideas... It's time for all teachers to take their classroom and teaching practice into their own hands!

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