Poetry Everywhere: Teaching Poetry Writing in School and in the Community

by Jack Collom, Sheryl Noethe

Sixty five alphabetically ordered entries on poetry, each more than two pages, offering exercises, examples and student samples. Also includes seven essays pertaining to teaching poetry, several suggestions on how to use the book, and an appendix showing exercises by school subject A collection of entries pertaining to virtually all the different forms of poetry. Includes entries on acrostics, definition poems, list poems, odes, “used to/but now” poems, and other innovative forms designed to bolster creative writing. Collom and Noethe truly understand their audience, for they have also addressed the need for ideas on how to integrate poetry into the English core curriculum in a section at the back of the book, filled with essays that guide you through the entire poetry teaching process. There are 11 essays in all, in addition to an appendix of exercises arranged by school subject.

Genres: Poetry, Writing, Education, Nonfiction, Teaching

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Jack Collom was born in Chicago in 1931 and grew up in nearby Western Springs, where he spent much of his boyhood walking in the woods and bird watching. After graduating from the Forestry School at Colorado A&M College, Collom joined the US Air Force and wrote his first poems in Tripoli, Libya. He lived in Germany a Zeitlang, then returned stateside and worked in factories for twenty years. He was an adjunct professor at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado and worked extensively with schoolchildren for thirty-five years. Collom was the author of twenty-four books and chapbooks as well as editor (with commentaries) of three books of writings by children. Collom was twice been awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, in part for his experimental nature writings. He had four grown children and was married to the writer Jennifer Heath.

Reviews

[Laurel Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid book about teaching poetry, especially good for those who have never taught poetry before and feel anxious about it. Thought the book seems aimed at teaching younger children, I think many of these assignments could be modified for any age group. If you already do teach poetry and feel comfortable doing so, this is still a nice source for some new ideas. I especially like the pedagogical approaches that are brought up, in terms of how to present the material.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME book for poet-in-the-schools outreach programs!

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for teaching.

[Sarah]

Poetry Everywhere: Teaching poetry Writing in School and in the Community by Jack Collom (2007)

[Christine Boyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! I read this for one of my Master's classes. Great lesson ideas for teachers, or for anyone who wants to write poetry!

[Johanna DeBiase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for anyone who teaches poetry

[AnSmellica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet treat to read, full of some brilliantly simple and simply brilliant writing prompts that can work for any age. The vast majority of the poetry comes from writers between the ages of 6-17; these kids were INCREDIBLE writers. I found myself reacting so expressively to the poems, gasping and giggling and tearing up. I just am always amazed at the stunning and hilarious and poignant and heart wrenching and impressive poems that come from a 7 year old, an 11 year old, a 15 year old... So lovely. I want to read again and annotate on the prompts more, there were some I really wanted to adapt for my classes.

If it wasn't enough that it's a great resource for teachers, read it just for the poems. I love these young poets (':

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be really helpful because it gives so many writing prompts and activities. It also provides tons of examples to go along with each. It's a great resource for teachers, but at the same time I think it's interesting enough to be enjoyed by anyone who like children or poetry or both even if they're not a teacher.

[Elaine Bearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

adult

Another book with ideas for connecting people and poetry. The bulk of this book is fun exercises that create different poems. This has a bent of exploration and fun, with the idea that it is at the core of getting kids excited about writing. LIke a potpourri of ideas.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very meh compared to other classics about teaching poetry.

[Mills College Library]

808.1 C7141 1994