Responsive Reads
Providing Access and Equity campus wide
Happy National Poetry Month
Poetry is for everyone. The most remarkable characteristic of a poem is its ability to move the reader emotionally in some way. That is why middle school kids and poetry go naturally together. Middle school life is all about emotion...the drama, angst, love, joy, fear, separateness and togetherness all lead to the discovery of ways to be in the world. Poetry teaches us empathy, acceptance and tolerance and provides a new way of expressing who we are. In the spirit of poetry month, here are some ideas about ways to immerse our students in verse as listeners, readers and writers of poetry and using it to help them find their voice.
Novels in Verse
Novels in Verse are one of the fastest growing types of literature. It is presented as narrative poetry in which a novel-length story is told through the medium of poetry rather than prose. It gives the reader room to breathe and relax into the book through the use of white space and the beauty of language. Click on the book jacket for more information about any title.
Powerful, haunting story of finding your voice and power. YA
Poignant memoir-in-verse recalls Cuban American's childhood.
Soaring, poignant novel in verse hits all the right spots with a focus on family relationships.
Moving verse tale of girl's experience in Darfur genocide.
Moving free-verse tale of immigrant girl's new life in UK.
Multiple stories in verse about leaving home and finding home again. YA
A biographical novel in verse of three different girls in three different time periods who grew up to become groundbreaking scientists
Gripping, unnerving story of teen boy contemplating revenge. YA
In India, a girl who excels at Bharatanatyam dance refuses to give up after losing a leg in an accident.
Novel in verse showing poetry as a way to discover your true self
Heartwarming story in verse, of a refugee who finds solace in a cow and a farm that reminds him of home.
Inspiring, educational immigrant story told in free verse.
Novel in verse of survival and hope in earthquake- ravaged Haiti
Alternating passages of verse between two Native American sisters, as they try to assimilate into white culture
Novel in verse about life in 1981 in a Guatemalan village when the people need to flee invading guerillas
More ideas for teaching poetry
Ideas for teaching poetry through exploration and experimentation
Poetry as a vehicle for change
Writerscorp collection of ideas for teaching identity through poetry
Gale Ranch Middle School Library
This newsletter is a small sampling of what's available in our library. Stop by anytime to share ideas, collaborate together and get resources for your students. Coffee and sweets are always available!
Email: jloeche@srvusd.net
Website: http://www.grms.srvusd.net
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Twitter: @joloecher