Writing the Soul
An activity for writing poetry about the soul, inspired by poems by Mary Oliver and Walt Whitman.
Lesson Plans
Innovative lessons/ideas for teaching creative writing, as well as samples of student writing resulting from the lesson. See complete submission guidelines here.
Shout Out Poems
Explore the musical and rhythmic elements of spoken poetry with Sekou Sundiata’s “Shout Out.”
“Spring Poems” with E.E. Cummings
Celebrate any season by writing original and daring poems inspired by E.E. Cummings and his rambunctious wordplay.
The Lune Link
Use family photographs or magazine images to create 3-line Lune poems.
What a Wonderful World
An activity that encourages young writers to explore the five senses, inspired by the Louis Armstrong song.
Delight Songs
Delicious Details take center stage in this writing exercise inspired by N. Scott Momaday’s “Delight Song of Tsoai-talee.”
Writing Our Way Through: Tips
Tips for parents & guardians leading writing exercises with children at home. Part of the “Writing Our Way Through” series.
Writing Our Way Through
With so many parents and guardians at home with their kids, we want to offer clear, fun, and engaging “lessons” for writing at home with young people.
The Taste of Happiness
Teaching Students to Describe Emotions in Poetry FROM THE ARCHIVES: This article was originally published in Teachers & Writers Magazine, Winter 2009-2010. By Harriet Riley AS A FIRST-YEAR Writers in the Schools writer/teacher in Houston last fall, I have to admit I felt like I was entering an obstacle course blindfolded. Even though we had…
Hidden Beauty: Using a Poem by Jayne Cortez
FROM THE ARCHIVES: This article originally appeared in Teachers & Writers Magazine Volume 29, Issue 3. By Mark Statman Jayne Cortez wrote a wonderful poem that is challenging and useful for inspiring student writing: Under the Edge of February Under the edge of February in hawk of a throathidden by ravines of sweet oilby temples…