why poetry is important

Wallace Stevens:

The poet's role is to help people live their lives.

I'm listening to Nancie Atwell explain why poetry is important



I'm sold.



ok, now back to "reality."
The poems in our literature book...... I love NONE of them. I like a few. I have hardly had any poetry in my classes for years, because I cannot find value in the material I already have, and I never sought other material that I could use legally in multiple copies.

Also I have been I think cowardly about poetry. To me, its value is that it is deep and serious and goes into controversial, highly personal areas. And I have imagined problems with that, which may never arise, but they have helped block me from this vast and powerful resource.

Does it sound like I'm moving towards making the effort to find better stuff? I think so.

lovers of literature, and makers

Manuel Garces, Jr. wrote:

How can we foster dialogue and questioning among students as an essential instructional practice?

I treat my kids as lovers and makers of literature, from day one. We speak in the language of book lovers and poetry lovers. We name the qualities of good literature. We look at issues and questions raised by our readings. Reading and writing and talking fill the air, always.

lovers and makers of literature

I'll be using this as part of my personal jdt*armory.


* joie de teaching-- how I will protect my heart from the corrosive effects of those who see teachers as the UPS people of education