To Teach Poetry [S1 E5&6]
If teaching poetry makes you feel vulnerable, then you’re definitely doing it right.
It’s National Poetry Month and this is Amanda’s teaching-baby. Poetry is where it’s at!
An unofficial research-based survey revealed to us that what teachers struggle with the most is their own intimidation and insecurity that they feel approaching poetry in the classroom. But here you are, and we’ve got you covered. This episode will support your teaching poetry journey in TWO PARTS. Here’s how to build your poetry-teacher confidence.
This is me and one of my very first poetry slam teams. We put together a show at our school called The Spoken Mosaic. And people came!!
Part 1: Episode 5
ONE: Embrace your own vulnerability alongside the kids
For once, we are actually feeling the same amount of nervousness as the kids, and this is an asset in our classrooms! Harness your vulnerability and share it with your students. The more we can share our own insecurities about poetry, the more students break down the level of intimidation that they feel when approaching a new poem. This is a great chance to bond with your students.
TWO: Teach poems that you’re in love with and that are in your comfort zone
Why are you trying to teach a crazy abstract Dickinson poem? Stop that! Find poems that are already connected to your unit’s essential questions or the themes present in your novels. Amanda has a book that pairs novels, themes, and skills to modern poems that you should totally check out. Also, don’t forget to consult YouTube and #teachlivingpoets on Twitter and Instagram. Find the poem that can be your “gateway drug” to poetry!
THREE: Teach poetry often and teach it the same way
Why should every time you teach poetry give you gut-rot? Avoid that pit in your stomach feeling by teaching it frequently and using the same approach each time. We recommend The Big Six; it’s a way to start a conversation about poetry and a foundation that students can practice and get better at all year long as you keep bringing poetry to kids.
When we approach poetry the same way and with some frequency, the intimidation factor wears off and students actually start to build skills.
Some creative writing students performing poetry outside on a beautiful day.
Part 2: Episode 6
FOUR: Don’t feel like you have to teach poetry in all one unit; embed in the larger ones
Poems don’t have to exist in a vacuum. What about how a poem speaks to Scout’s experience? How does it reflect Holden’s attitude? Or how does this poet’s voice sound like Fitzgerald’s style? Finding places for poetry to coexist with the rest of your texts not only helps make poetry more meaningful, but it can also make a dated or cannon text more relevant! Amanda has lots of great pairings in her book (check out the table of contents here).
FIVE: Play games with language
Encouraging students to be mesmerized by words - it’s as simple as getting a writer’s notebook going. For playful exercises with imagery, bring in paper bags full of random food items that kids can smell, taste, touch, see, and sound like. Watch your students have a fun struggle as they deal with nuance and choosing just the right words for what they’re trying to describe.
What Are You Obsessed with Right Now?
Amanda: I’m obsessed with The Lazy Genius! This podcast is a must listen. For more podcast recommendations check out this awesome blog post from Building Book Love.
Marie: I’m obsessed with reliving literary moments with my kids. We’re reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory right now!
Whether you’re a new teacher looking for someone help you see the light or a veteran stuck in a rut, we’re here for you! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and join our email list for updates, freebies, and inspo!
SHOW LINKS:
Teaching poetry takes courage, but if we don’t bring it to our kids, they’ll never get the chance to find out how incredible experiencing a beautiful poem can be.
To check out what Amanda’s up to outside of Brave New Teaching, head over to her website or Instagram pages to fill up on some clever teaching ideas. Amanda also has a Teachers Pay Teachers online store with lots of ready-to-teach products for you.
And to check out Marie’s busy teacher life, be sure to check out her YouTube channel where she vlogs and posts videos about all the teacher things, her Instagram, and her Teachers Pay Teachers store!