Poetry is taught in many different ways. Many fall in love or hate with poetry in a classroom. Poets.org compiled a list of Great Poems to Teach. Here are some of those poems taught in classrooms:
- Jabberwocky-Lewis Carroll
- O Captain! My Captain!-Walt Whitman
- We Real Cool-Gwendolyn Brooks
- Still I Rise-Maya Angelou
- This Is Just To Say-William Carlos Williams
Anyone who teaches poetry is most likely familiar with the selections listed. The listed poems could be a great starting point, but if the students are already familiar with those works they may be bored or resist the lessons. Here are some ways to tailor lessons to the audience:
Know your audience: Where do your students come from? How old are your students? What is their maturity level? What is their familiarity with poetry? What is their commitment to the class (is this a workshop or part of an on-going class)? What are their interests outside of the classroom?
Cater to your audience: What are their learning styles? How can you represent all of their learning styles? How much time do they have in and outside of the classroom? What is their level of interest?
Know your resources: Do your students have access to a library? Computer? How much time do you have?
It would be presumptive to assume students will absolutely love or hate any lesson. Often there is a mix of interest and levels of understanding. It is important to engage all participants as best as possible.
Always remember the three C's: Context, context, context. Depending on the context of the class or workshop, a plan that fully considers the audience creates an environment of respect and trust. Many have used film, music and visual arts to explore poetry. Try to explore all options but it is recommended teachers use methods they are comfortable navigating and truly familiar with. Discussion and group activities work well with most crowds as long as they are properly guided to fit the goals set forth by the instructor.
There are many ways to successfully teach poetry. When appropriate, if you are a student it is important to let a teacher know if you liked a lesson. Negative feedback arrives much quicker than positive feedback, so do not hesitate to let an instructor know what worked for you. This gives your instructor a framework for future lessons. If you are an educator and are looking additional ideas, Poetry.org provides Tips for Teaching Poetry.
Give each other feedback!
Students: What was most memorable about learning poetry?
Instructors: What works for you when you teach?
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