Next Step Blog - Resources for Educators

A community-driven blog providing resources for educators, by educators.

Poetry

girl holding hand to ear to eavesdrop on a conversation

ELA Activity: Eavesdropping Poetry

Jennifer Nash

In this creative writing activity, secondary ELA students will use what they overhear in the hallways to write poems! Download the lesson template...

ELA Writing Poetry

Amanda Gorman performing a poem at the 2021 inauguration of President Joe Biden

Inaugural Poetry Discoveries

Michael M. Guevara

Like lots of others, I didn’t discover Amanda Gorman until she graced the country with, well, her grace, her presence, and her poetry at the...

Literature ELA Diverse Voices Poetry

Rock Star Poets

Michael M. Guevara

The “Greatest Hits” album. All the greats do it—Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tom Petty, Elton John, Madonna, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mariah Carey—so it only...

Literature ELA Poetry

Dead White Poets Society

Michael M. Guevara

Scads of English teachers have shown the movie Dead Poets Society in class to either begin their poetry unit or to try and inspire an appreciation...

Literature ELA Diverse Voices Poetry Poetry Month

girl sits outside reading from a poetry book

The Outer and Inner Beauty of Poetry

Michael M. Guevara

Probably not long after Gutenberg slapped some ink on a page, we got the aphorism not to judge a book by its cover. Generally true. But even if the...

Poetry