For anyone who teaches at any level (especially literature or language arts), this post is full of wisdom and inspiration.
For anyone who is not a teacher, this post is full of wisdom and inspiration *and* insight into what happens in classrooms every day. Those who can (with few resources but wit and hope and love), *teach.*
This gives me hope. I’m also mindful that many institutions throttle this very creativity in the name of alignment and standardization. You illustrate what real discovery looks like. We need more of this in education.
Thanks! My goal is to re-humanize my classroom after so many decades of standardization. I'm glad that you enjoyed the post! I hope that others will be inspired to try something new in their classrooms as well. It's scary, but exhilarating. And well worth it.
I love playing Dylan Thomas’ poetry for my students. I found some of his recordings on vinyl. His rich baritone voice! Also, Bob Dylan is frequently playing on the background during independent work time.
I don't know where you are teaching, but this kind of freedom in the classroom is so rare where I live. This made my throat go tight, remembering some of the teachers I was lucky to have, some of the teaching I was once able to do. Thank you so much for sharing this.
I teach in a suburban school district in CO. I wish I could say that this type of freedom is encouraged by administration. Instead, I feel like I have to be subversive in order to create experiences that my students actually enjoy. Thank you for replying and saying such kind things. I appreciate it!
I appreciate you fighting the good fight! The kind of teaching you are doing was once possible where I live (Oregon), but in my last district there was so much mandate for teachers to all be on exactly the same page. It didn't allow for much responsiveness to students--not to mention joy.
Thank you to Tara Penry for restacking this post! I love everything about this! What lucky lucky kids to have such an engaged, perceptive, curious teacher. This is what education is all about - discovery, sharing, creating. I watched the Brooks "Prisoner" poem video with a tear in my eye - the poets and exonerees, and even John McCain, sharing their appreciation for the poem. So moving. This one's a keeper. Thanks for all you do.
Thank you for affirming these learning experiments I try out in my classroom. I'm glad that you enjoyed the "Prisoner" video. That was a very impactful experience when I showed it to students. Our discussion afterward was incredible.
I can only imagine. I know 5th graders are a bit past this, but have you ever read Billy Collins' "On Turning Ten"? I can't not weep whenever I read it.
Yes!! Collins’ poem is one of the many reasons I love teaching the fifth grade. I don’t want these ten-year-old feel that “there was nothing under my skin but light.” It is such a fantastic liminal age: one foot in childhood, one in adolescence.
Almost forgot - Marie Howe is one of my very favorites, too. I still remember a story she told about teaching poetry, during her On Being interview. She starts the semester telling her students they can't use adjectives at all. At first, their poems are clunky and they are grumpy. By the end of a few weeks, they shine with originality. She's lit up, telling this story. Here's a story of when I met Marie Howe: https://buildinghope.substack.com/p/being-loved-like-that
What a great post! I'm so jealous that you actually got to meet her. Thank you for sharing. Marie Howe is one of my favorite poets. I really enjoyed listening to her interview with Krista Tippett.
Thanks for reading it. Yeah, that was a total fluke. She's def one of my favorites too. Hey - you're probably too busy for this, but I've been thinking of gathering some Substack writers for a monthly poetry night to share our favorites by reading aloud too each other. I used to do this "in the before times" w/ a group of friends at each other's houses. I know at least one other Substacker is interested. Let me know and we can cook something up together.
First. Billy Collins would be so delighted in the deviations your lessons took. I assume you know all about Poetry 180.
Second. Enormous kudos to you for helping kids find the poetry magic. I took a summer school class in poetry in second grade. I remember writing haiku's on giant newsprint pages out in the school parking lot baking in the sun. Certainly not as inspiring as what you have achieved but poetry has stayed with me all my life thanks to a passionate teacher.
Third. Is there a way to form a poetry club that you can lead for whichever students want to keep reading, writing and discussing poetry with you? It could grow with students from future classes and maybe even some students who didn't study poetry with you. It would be a shame for this group of avid poetry readers and writers to suddenly fall into a literary void next year.
Fourth. How nice that your school system permitted this passion project. So often teachers are locked into curiculum that no longer lets them follow their students in this way and to generate an excitement for learning. I had a teacher in 4th grade who was a bit of a hippie. She diverted us from the usual ciruculum and did about six weeks studying southeast asia (during the winddown of the Vietnam War.) We never talked about war or the ravages to our GIs, but instead we learned how to grow and husk rice. The geography of SE Asia. What their languages and religions are. A few of their divergent traditions. A cultural, ecological, and geographical tour. She was passionate about it and it mattered at the time. I've never forgotten it. Kudos to your school system! How lucky for the kids.
Wow! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed my post. I love Poetry 180! I can't believe that I forgot to include it in my resources. Thank you for sharing your own story. I wish more teachers took their students outside, even copying poems in the hot weather is more enjoyable to reading a haiku on a computer screen and answering questions for a test.
I love the idea of a poetry club! You've got my brain churning. I will have to think about how to create something like this. I think it would be a great opportunity for students who love poetry.
I wish I could say more teachers took these types of risks in their classrooms. Honestly, I created this experience pretty quietly and only announced it to my teammates once we were ready for our Poetry Out Loud recitation. In my experience, most teachers are micromanaged with what they teach and how they teach it. I'm very lucky that no one came looking too closely in my classroom! :)
What an incredible 4th grade experience! I would have loved to meet your 4th grade teacher. I wish there were more teachers like her. I can tell that these K-5 experiences have stayed with you. I appreciate you sharing!
What an amazing learning journey you brought the students on. A true example of student leading the learning process, and the teacher being the guide. It is not a "fail" at all, in fact the exact opposite.
I'm binge-reading your posts, and many of your thoughts resonate with me. I won't comment on each individual post, but thank you for sharing both your victories and your struggles in the classroom. Sometimes, I'm at wit's end, thinking I'm not a good enough teacher. Your sharing has reminded me to always look for the wins!
After 20+ years of teaching, especially these post-pandemic years, I have felt much like you do at times. Teaching is so hard and I often feel like I'm not going a good enough job for my students. I'm happy to hear that my writing (and processing) about my teaching is resonating with you. I can tell that you care about being a good teacher, and because of this, I'm certain you are doing much better than you think. Hang in there!
Thank you for your encouragement! Teaching is indeed an extremely tough but equally rewarding job. Even though I’m not sure if I could last so many years teaching like you, I would like to treasure and make the most of every day with the students that I have now!
Adrian, as so many others have pointed out here in the comments section, this is such a gift to your students, and they’re lucky to have you as a teacher. I never really had a proper/fun introduction to poetry when I was younger (then again, I was homeschooled, so…). By the time I became an adult, I had convinced myself I hated poetry. I’ve only discovered it in my thirties, and it’s been an absolute joy. I feel like poetry has enriched not only my reading life but my writing life as well (in a variety of genres). When I teach poetry, I have my students start the unit by reading Collins’s poem “Introduction to Poetry” (which they respond well to). I’ve also started experimenting with excerpts from Ben Lerner’s The Hatred of Poetry, which has led to some really insightful conversations with my students. Anyway, really wonderful post and inspiring teaching. Thank you!
I actually started this poetry unit by sharing that same Collins’ poem! It’s a great poem. My students loved the idea of torturing a poem with a whip. Have you seen this animation?
I love, love this post. Every word.
For anyone who teaches at any level (especially literature or language arts), this post is full of wisdom and inspiration.
For anyone who is not a teacher, this post is full of wisdom and inspiration *and* insight into what happens in classrooms every day. Those who can (with few resources but wit and hope and love), *teach.*
I'm so pleased that this post resonated with you. Thank you for the very kind words!
Hi Tara, thanks for pointing me to this wonderful post!
This gives me hope. I’m also mindful that many institutions throttle this very creativity in the name of alignment and standardization. You illustrate what real discovery looks like. We need more of this in education.
Thanks! My goal is to re-humanize my classroom after so many decades of standardization. I'm glad that you enjoyed the post! I hope that others will be inspired to try something new in their classrooms as well. It's scary, but exhilarating. And well worth it.
Reminiscent of "Dangerous Minds." The Dylan/Dylan project.
I love playing Dylan Thomas’ poetry for my students. I found some of his recordings on vinyl. His rich baritone voice! Also, Bob Dylan is frequently playing on the background during independent work time.
I don't know where you are teaching, but this kind of freedom in the classroom is so rare where I live. This made my throat go tight, remembering some of the teachers I was lucky to have, some of the teaching I was once able to do. Thank you so much for sharing this.
I teach in a suburban school district in CO. I wish I could say that this type of freedom is encouraged by administration. Instead, I feel like I have to be subversive in order to create experiences that my students actually enjoy. Thank you for replying and saying such kind things. I appreciate it!
I appreciate you fighting the good fight! The kind of teaching you are doing was once possible where I live (Oregon), but in my last district there was so much mandate for teachers to all be on exactly the same page. It didn't allow for much responsiveness to students--not to mention joy.
Rrrrrrgggghhh. 😖
Doesn't feel right to like this comment, so...but thanks.
Yes, understood.
Thank you to Tara Penry for restacking this post! I love everything about this! What lucky lucky kids to have such an engaged, perceptive, curious teacher. This is what education is all about - discovery, sharing, creating. I watched the Brooks "Prisoner" poem video with a tear in my eye - the poets and exonerees, and even John McCain, sharing their appreciation for the poem. So moving. This one's a keeper. Thanks for all you do.
Thank you for affirming these learning experiments I try out in my classroom. I'm glad that you enjoyed the "Prisoner" video. That was a very impactful experience when I showed it to students. Our discussion afterward was incredible.
I can only imagine. I know 5th graders are a bit past this, but have you ever read Billy Collins' "On Turning Ten"? I can't not weep whenever I read it.
Yes!! Collins’ poem is one of the many reasons I love teaching the fifth grade. I don’t want these ten-year-old feel that “there was nothing under my skin but light.” It is such a fantastic liminal age: one foot in childhood, one in adolescence.
Almost forgot - Marie Howe is one of my very favorites, too. I still remember a story she told about teaching poetry, during her On Being interview. She starts the semester telling her students they can't use adjectives at all. At first, their poems are clunky and they are grumpy. By the end of a few weeks, they shine with originality. She's lit up, telling this story. Here's a story of when I met Marie Howe: https://buildinghope.substack.com/p/being-loved-like-that
What a great post! I'm so jealous that you actually got to meet her. Thank you for sharing. Marie Howe is one of my favorite poets. I really enjoyed listening to her interview with Krista Tippett.
Thanks for reading it. Yeah, that was a total fluke. She's def one of my favorites too. Hey - you're probably too busy for this, but I've been thinking of gathering some Substack writers for a monthly poetry night to share our favorites by reading aloud too each other. I used to do this "in the before times" w/ a group of friends at each other's houses. I know at least one other Substacker is interested. Let me know and we can cook something up together.
I would love to participate. Thanks for the invite. Let me know the details and how I can help. This sounds like a ton of fun!
I love Marie & love that exercise. I used it recently in one of my own classes.
First. Billy Collins would be so delighted in the deviations your lessons took. I assume you know all about Poetry 180.
Second. Enormous kudos to you for helping kids find the poetry magic. I took a summer school class in poetry in second grade. I remember writing haiku's on giant newsprint pages out in the school parking lot baking in the sun. Certainly not as inspiring as what you have achieved but poetry has stayed with me all my life thanks to a passionate teacher.
Third. Is there a way to form a poetry club that you can lead for whichever students want to keep reading, writing and discussing poetry with you? It could grow with students from future classes and maybe even some students who didn't study poetry with you. It would be a shame for this group of avid poetry readers and writers to suddenly fall into a literary void next year.
Fourth. How nice that your school system permitted this passion project. So often teachers are locked into curiculum that no longer lets them follow their students in this way and to generate an excitement for learning. I had a teacher in 4th grade who was a bit of a hippie. She diverted us from the usual ciruculum and did about six weeks studying southeast asia (during the winddown of the Vietnam War.) We never talked about war or the ravages to our GIs, but instead we learned how to grow and husk rice. The geography of SE Asia. What their languages and religions are. A few of their divergent traditions. A cultural, ecological, and geographical tour. She was passionate about it and it mattered at the time. I've never forgotten it. Kudos to your school system! How lucky for the kids.
Wow! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed my post. I love Poetry 180! I can't believe that I forgot to include it in my resources. Thank you for sharing your own story. I wish more teachers took their students outside, even copying poems in the hot weather is more enjoyable to reading a haiku on a computer screen and answering questions for a test.
I love the idea of a poetry club! You've got my brain churning. I will have to think about how to create something like this. I think it would be a great opportunity for students who love poetry.
I wish I could say more teachers took these types of risks in their classrooms. Honestly, I created this experience pretty quietly and only announced it to my teammates once we were ready for our Poetry Out Loud recitation. In my experience, most teachers are micromanaged with what they teach and how they teach it. I'm very lucky that no one came looking too closely in my classroom! :)
What an incredible 4th grade experience! I would have loved to meet your 4th grade teacher. I wish there were more teachers like her. I can tell that these K-5 experiences have stayed with you. I appreciate you sharing!
Thank you for the resources- I never would have found them in my own - and for your honesty about how teaching what you love can go awry.
No worries! I’d rather be honest and vulnerable than portray an Instagram filter to what I post. It would be fake and inauthentic.
What an amazing learning journey you brought the students on. A true example of student leading the learning process, and the teacher being the guide. It is not a "fail" at all, in fact the exact opposite.
Thank you for reading and replying! I hope you find the post and resources helpful.
I'm binge-reading your posts, and many of your thoughts resonate with me. I won't comment on each individual post, but thank you for sharing both your victories and your struggles in the classroom. Sometimes, I'm at wit's end, thinking I'm not a good enough teacher. Your sharing has reminded me to always look for the wins!
After 20+ years of teaching, especially these post-pandemic years, I have felt much like you do at times. Teaching is so hard and I often feel like I'm not going a good enough job for my students. I'm happy to hear that my writing (and processing) about my teaching is resonating with you. I can tell that you care about being a good teacher, and because of this, I'm certain you are doing much better than you think. Hang in there!
Thank you for your encouragement! Teaching is indeed an extremely tough but equally rewarding job. Even though I’m not sure if I could last so many years teaching like you, I would like to treasure and make the most of every day with the students that I have now!
Adrian, as so many others have pointed out here in the comments section, this is such a gift to your students, and they’re lucky to have you as a teacher. I never really had a proper/fun introduction to poetry when I was younger (then again, I was homeschooled, so…). By the time I became an adult, I had convinced myself I hated poetry. I’ve only discovered it in my thirties, and it’s been an absolute joy. I feel like poetry has enriched not only my reading life but my writing life as well (in a variety of genres). When I teach poetry, I have my students start the unit by reading Collins’s poem “Introduction to Poetry” (which they respond well to). I’ve also started experimenting with excerpts from Ben Lerner’s The Hatred of Poetry, which has led to some really insightful conversations with my students. Anyway, really wonderful post and inspiring teaching. Thank you!
I actually started this poetry unit by sharing that same Collins’ poem! It’s a great poem. My students loved the idea of torturing a poem with a whip. Have you seen this animation?
https://vimeo.com/184030466
I’ve heard of Lerner’s book, but haven’t had the chance to read it. I’ll check it out! Thanks for commenting.