Poetry-Christensen Chapter 5

"Too often schools don't teach students how to handle the explosive feelings that come with adolescence. By writing and sharing the 'raw core of feelings' that create havoc in their lives, they can practice a more effective way of handling their emotions" (129).

I really enjoyed Christensen's chapter on poetry because it is something that I am incredibly excited and terrified to teach. From a personal level I love poetry, for me writing and poetry specifically has always been a creative outlet for me to express my emotions. However, throughout much of my education I never really enjoyed poetry assignments that were delivered in classroom settings. OverallI found that often times the work that was assigned was poorly designed or lacked the ability to really dive into emotion or much creativity. I cannot recall ever getting excited over doing poetry for a class, and to be honest it was rarely brought up or covered in a manner that would provide enthusiasm.


I think that as future English teachers poetry can be a powerful tool and great source of personal expression. One way that Christensen made poetry fun and memorable I felt was her Remember Me poem excecise. At the end of each school year many students are sentimental over leaving, starting new chapters going on to new things, and there is that time of reflection and looking back on the year. I think a great way to demonstrate these feelings are through these poems. I think that this poem would be best for a classroom that has developed close relationships with one another, however it is still feasible in an average class as well.


For instance, Christensen mentions how she allows the students to write a second poem about themselves and their personal traits and memories. I think that if its possible to both a poem about another classmate as well as yourself would create a positive lasting memory and a good ending note for the year. I think that this is a great tradition that could be carried on in the classroom and a fun unique way to present poetry that doesn’t cause yawns and moans.