Favorite Poetry Lessons (Grades 4-8) - Softcover

According to poet Paul B. Janeczko, poetry is not something that should be saved for a giant poetry unit in April (National Poetry Month). It should be sprinkled liberally through the classroom, used on any occasion, linked to the real world. In Favorite Poetry Lessons, Janeczko gathers the most tried-and-true poetry-writing exercises he has found in his classes throughout the U.S. and beyond. Encouraging kids and teachers to enjoy--not be intimidated by--poetry, he includes a wide range of model poems by such luminaries as Walt Whitman and X.J. Kennedy, as well as by his own young workshop students. Janeczko's style is warm and personal, and his exercises are creative, fun, and informative. The classroom-friendly book includes more than 25 reproducible poems, insights and advice from leading contemporary poets ("In the poet's words..."), lessons on the types of poetry children love (opposites, list poems, acrostic poems, clerihews, synonym poems), sections on techniques (rhythm, word choice, metaphor), links to other subjects, and even a few hints for publishing students' work.

Janeczko's enthusiasm is infectious. Students (grades 4 to 8) and teachers alike will be inspired to make poetry a natural part of their daily lives. Ready to go deeper? Read Janeczko's How to Write Poetry. Ready to go wild? Take a look at the lovely and nutty A Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poems. (Ages 8 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Paul Janeczko has published several award-winning poetry anthologies for young people, as well as collections of his own poems. He is currently a poetry columnist for Instructor magazine. He lives in Hebron, Maine.