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Poetry in the Classroom

November 4th, 2010 by

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poetry magnetic piecesI’ve wondered before about the use of artists’ birthdays to incorporate their work into the curriculum. That question came to mind again yesterday as I enjoyed some Dylan Thomas in celebration of his birthday.

Could I have incorporated Thomas’ incredible work into a lesson for first graders? Does every single moment of classroom time need to be a lesson?

For some kids, there are plenty of opportunities to visit libraries and museums and cultural events with their families. For many other students, though, school is the only time that they are exposed to the arts. I think I could rely on a resource like the American Academy of Poets to help me incorporate more arts-for-arts-sake time into my classroom. Their website has numerous resources for teachers: from full lesson plans to recordings of poets reading their works.

I think that resources like this can be used in our classrooms to encourage a love of literacy in students who might otherwise consider reading poetry a chore.

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To follow Amanda’s teaching adventures, read her blog!

If you have other ideas for bringing more creativity into the classroom, read them in the comments below or consider contributing a guest post of your own.

Amanda is currently seeking her California teaching credential where she one day aspires to teach.

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  • Cindyly

    Amanda, I ask the same question that you do “Does every single moment of classroom time need to be a lesson?” I feel like there is so much pressure from certain people at the school to always be teaching various units and sticking to the curriculum material for the students to ace tests. I wish there were more opportunities to incorporate art in the classroom without a formal lesson plan. Students can learn from these informal lessons too. I really wanted to do a read aloud with my students on Columbus Day but the master teacher said that since it does not fit into the curriculum or have a specific focus, I couldn't do it. That was disappointing.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rowena-De-Ocampo/1303786780 Rowena De Ocampo

    A teacher is the supervisor and the manager in a classroom environment.. Whatever she wanted to do in classroom session, she can do it as long as it does not move far beyond the lesson for the day.. And in lesson planning we need to incorporate also the values to the children… So if your lesson is about art you have to think of a values formation in which you can incorporate it to your lesson for the day.. Its ok to tell about Dylans Thomas, anyway you are the teacher you have the power to do that, but be sure that the first grader can reach your thoughts, so you have to move down in their level so they can understand you..