Poetic voice, according to former U.S. Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, is an “artistic choice,” and in her 2019 TED-Ed Talk, she compelled students to “speak up.” The immense popularity of poetry slams, open mic nights, and other spoken word poetry events attests to the power of poetry to provide a platform for social commentary, and today’s youth voices are being heard louder than ever. We’ve created thematic guides teachers can use to help their students find personal and collective voice within the power of poetry.
The Middle School Guide on Teaching Poetry addresses the following line inquiry: How can poets use their process to explore and establish identity? Students are asked to reflect on the complexities of this question as they read closely, write critically, and collaborate with peers.
The High School Guide on Teaching Poetry asks: How do poets use poetry to establish voice and promote social justice? The suggested strategies generate possible answers to this essential question while providing the critical reading, writing, and thinking required of today’s students.
Download the free guides for elementary school, middle school, and high school.
