Teach This Poem, Volume I: The Natural World

Instill a love of poetry in your classroom with the illuminating and inviting lessons from Teach This Poem classroom activities. Co-published with the Academy of American Poets, the leading champion of poets and poetry in the US, this book is an accessible entry-point to teaching poetry and fostering a poetic sensibility in the classroom.

Each lesson follows a consistent format, with a warm-up activity to introduce the chosen poem, pair-shares, whole class synthesis, related resources, oral readings, and extension activities. Curated by the AAP, the poems are chosen with an eye toward fostering compassion and representing diverse experiences. Understanding that poetry is a powerful way of seeing the world, the volumes are organized thematically: Volume I is centered on the natural world and Volume II on equality and justice.

Aligned with current standards and pedagogy, the lessons in this poem will inspire English teachers and their students alike.

Madeleine Fuchs Holzer was the Inaugural Educator in Residence at the Academy of American Poets, where she curated and created Teach this Poem. She has taught at the high school and university levels, and has worked as an arts-in-education administrator. Her poetry and essays have appeared in several literary journals.

Founded in 1934 in New York City by Marie Bullock, the Academy of American Poets is an organization that connects millions of readers to poets’ work with its many free programs and publications. Its mission is to support poets at all stages of their careers and to foster the appreciation of contemporary poetry.