Inspiring Poetry Writing

Written for elementary school teachers who want to help their students delve into poetry, this book grows out of a comparison between gardening and writing poetry. Students at the alternative school founded by the book's author work and play on a plot of land near the school; inside, they work and play with words and imagery. Many examples of illustrated student poems as well as poetry by well-known writers fill the book. Mini-lessons in the book offer ways to stretch students' knowledge and mastery of more advanced poetry-writing techniques. It also provides lessons on getting ideas for poems, what to do with line breaks, how to encourage showing rather than telling in a poem, and how to say something in a new way. Also helpful are the book's bibliographies suggesting General Children's Poetry Books, Bilingual/Multicultural Poetry Books for Children, Music for Inspiring Poetry Writing, and Poetry for Grown-up Readers.