90 Ways of Community: Nurturing Safe & Inclusive Classrooms Writing One Poem at a Time

by Sarah J. Donovan, Mo Daley, Maureen Young Ingram

Unlock the transformative power of poetry in your classroom with 90 Ways of Community. This indispensable resource guides teachers through a year-long journey of poetic engagement, fostering a safe and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and heard. Grounded in social emotional learning and trauma-informed pedagogy, this book provides practical, adaptable lessons that seamlessly integrate poetry writing into any curriculum.

With a clear framework developed by experienced educators, 90 Ways of Community is designed for teachers at all levels, from novices to veterans. Each chapter begins with a heartfelt "Dear Teacher" letter, offering context and support, while thematic clusters of prompts inspire creativity and connection. The book covers a wide range of topics, from celebrating individuality to extending community and healing through poetic expression.

The authors draw on real classroom experiences and the collective wisdom of a community of teacher-poets. 90 Ways of Community is more than a collection of prompts—it's a roadmap to building a classroom culture where poetry becomes a vital tool for learning and growth. Join us in nurturing the hearts and minds of students, one poem at a time.

218 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2024

About the author

Sarah J. Donovan, Ph.D., is a a former junior high language arts teacher of fifteen years and an Associate Professor of Secondary English Education at Oklahoma State University. She served as co-editor for the online journal Writers Who Care. She wrote Genocide Literature in Middle and Secondary Classrooms (2016) and the young adult novel, Alone Together (2018). She is the founder of Ethical ELA, a free online resource for educators to nurture and sustain their teaching lives. Her research focuses on inclusive curriculum and ethical, humanizing methods of instruction.

Reviews

[Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am one of the coauthors of 90 Ways of Community: Nurtuting Safe & Inclusive Classrooms Writing One Poem at a Time. All educators who are interested in incorporating more poetry writing into their classrooms would benefit from reading this book. We hope you will find it to be an engaging resource that you will be able to use for years to come. Our suggested roadmap for the schoolyear and beyond will help you and your students grow and reflect as writers. Teachers will enjoy the adaptability of the peotry prompts we have provided. You will find the mentor texts helpful as you nurture your students' poetic souls.

[Kim Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gift for every secondary teacher who wishes to engage with students and inspire connection and learning through poetry. The progression of prompts through the year is laid out in a way that empowers students to experience the joy of writing and to showcase their poems in a notebook they will treasure. I especially love the variety of prompts offered. Here is a resource that teachers can begin using right now.

[Jennifer Guyor Jowett · Rating 5 out of 5]

What better resource to have at your fingertips than poetry plans for middle and high school students. Jump into writing with your students. These ideas are cultivated from experienced teacher-poets and offer success to writers in discovering voice.

[Steve Niessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! Amazing guide for teaching poetry providing a framework that is practical and authentic. It provides you with the support you need as a teacher to introduce your students to poetry in a very approachable and inclusive way.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect text for an English or any classroom to use for easy-to-follow writing poetry prompts. Make this a gift for your teacher friends. They will love you for it.