A Surge of Language: Teaching Poetry Day by Day

Poetry is part of the 7-12 English curriculum, but many students, and teachers too, are afraid of it. They think of poetry as esoteric, insular, even elitist. Baron Wormser and David Cappella prove otherwise. Poetry is in fact the lifeblood of language. It incorporates all aspects of the language arts. It deserves to be at the center of the English curriculum. And it can and should be taught daily. The authors show why and how.

Their book takes the form of a fictional teacher's journal entries on his daily teaching of the reading and writing of poetry. His recurrent theme for appreciating poetry is to "slow down, pay attention-there is much to be gained from this." And he demonstrates that truth. He looks at language closely-how the poet uses language, revises, edits, and assesses; how potent language really is; how the fewest words can achieve the greatest impact. What's more, he highlights within the text major ideas for teaching and provides other teacher-friendly formats and information, including:

• lists that detail practical exercises and strategies
• full-length poems
• anthologies for teacher reference.

Plus, the table of contents functions as a calendar of daily topics, making quick work of planning or honing in on areas of particular interest.

A Surge of Language is the perfect antidote to pressure and stress. And it's a richer, more rewarding alternative to the lists of objectives that now comprise teaching. Both thoughtful and practical, it will inspire and guide teachers in their efforts to put some reflective practice back into their curriculums and classrooms. And it will get them to think in poetry, too.

David Cappella is a poet and Assistant Professor of English at Central Connecticut State University. His teaching experience ranges from middle school to the doctoral level. He presents workshops on the teaching of poetry to teachers and students around the country. He and Baron Wormser coauthored Teaching the Art of Poetry: The Moves.

Appointed Poet Laureate of the State of Maine in 2000, Baron Wormser is the author of six books of poetry. He has more than 30 years' experience teaching poetry and poetry writing. He currently teaches in the Stonecoast MFA Program of the University of Southern Maine and at the Frost Place in Franconia, New Hampshire. He and David Cappella coauthored Teaching the Art of Poetry: The Moves.