Impactful Poetry
Using poetry in the classroom can help students have a better understanding of how writers previously connected their feelings using sensitive words that have many interpretations in life.
Where the Sidewalk Ends
by Shel Silverstein
Invitation
Genre: Children's Poetry
Age Level: 4th grade & above
Themes: Forgiveness
Summary: American Shel Silverstein invites different people with different natures to go with him and enjoy in the world of literature. He invites the readers who are imaginative as a dreamer or even a liar who always tells a lie, hope who hopes for something or prayer of religious duties or person with magical power.
Dreams
by: Langston Hughes
Genre: Motivational Poetry
Age Level: 9-12 grade
Themes: Motivation and Self Regulation
Summary: Throughout the poem, the author is explaining that dreams help to give our lives purpose and meaning, and without them, life is harsh and difficult. In the second stanza, Hughes again urges readers to hold fast to their dreams. In this instance, the author compares the loss of a dream to living in a cold and barren field. This is influential for our students because this causes a sense of empowerment for our students to push for their dreams.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Genre: Iambic Tetrameter
Themes: Life, Death, Commitment, and Darkness.
Summary: the speaker describes stopping to watch the snow fall while riding a horse through the woods at night. While alone in the forest, the speaker reflects on the natural world and its implicit contrast with society. The author is reflecting his identity with being in the woods and the overall feeling of darkness that spurs with his inner self.
By: Christina Rossetti
Genre: Modern Nature Poem
Themes: Beauty of Clouds and Rainbows in comparison to ships and bridges.
Age Level: Grades 9-12
Summary: the author speaks on the superior beauty of clouds and rainbows in comparison to ships and bridges. The poem begins with the speaker describing how both ships and boats sail. One can find ships on the sea and boats on the river, but both operate in the same way. This is beneficial for those students who enjoy traveling and living life to the fullest, This poem provides a sense of guidance for those interested in traveling and admiring beauty. Nature is something that is often overturned by the value of negatives in the world.
Nothing Gold Can Stay
by: Robert Frost
Genre: Lyric Poem
Age Level: Middle School & High School
Theme: Cycle of Life
Summary: Emphasizes the fleeting nature of youth, beauty, and life itself. As trees lose their leaves and then the buds, leaves and blooms reappear the following spring, so people age and eventually pass from the earth. This is part of the cycle of life and death, and rebirth. I think for students, it is crucial for them to understand the dynamics of life and how it balances between hardships and death. Appreciating life is important.
My Melody
by: Eric Pribyl
Genre: Romantic Poetry
Age Level: Middle School & High School
Theme: Love and Secrecy
Summary: In the poem, the speaker describes the characteristics of his beloved that made him fall in love. This short poem about love will surely make you appreciate your partner.
Love is the most potent energy that has brought humanity to peace. Love is all that binds great relationships for both men and women. It’s just an inexplicable emotion that adds color to one’s life.
This poem can help students regulate balancing relationships, especially in high school. I think some as students, bottle up the emotions that they feel about someone. This poem relates to everyone who has that special someone.