English teacher Diane Flint reflects on “the heroic” and “the hero’s journey” as a central theme taught in most English curricula.
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Dark Times Filled with Light: The Art of Poetry
Juan Gelman’s poems express both the power and impotence to effect change, all the while making clear poetry is not for the faint of heart.
Interview with an English Teacher, Pt 1: Texts and Teaching
Ann Kroeker interviews her high school English teacher, who reflects the heart of a guide—a mentor—for anyone who wants to help a student love literature.
Poetry at Work Day (Take 2)
The Poetry at Work Day celebration went on for days, from France to Finland. Here’s another round of delightful finds on Twitter and Instagram from hardworking poetic revelers.
Dark Times Filled with Light: Things They Don’t Know
In our first book club discussion of Juan Gelman’s Dark Times Filled with Light we consider our awakening to the world beyond our front door.
“David Copperfield”: Why Charles Dickens Has Endured
“Pickwick Papers” explains why Charles Dickens first became popular, but “David Copperfield” demonstrates why Dickens has endured.
Regional Tour: Marie Webster Quilts at Indianapolis Museum of Art
On her latest regional tour, Charity Singleton Craig takes in the exhibit of Marie Webster at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Defining the Horizon: Poetry Prompt
Join us as we set our eyes on the horizon and draw meaning from what we see and experience while gazing where the sky and landscape meet. Take it all in and write some poetry with us.
Eating and Drinking Poems: Storytelling and Luci Shaw’s “Eating the Whole Egg”
Any family story has multiple versions: what I remember, what you remember, what really happened. Laura Brown reflects on truth, fact, and the whole egg.
Book Club Announcement: Dark Times Filled with Light, by Juan Gelman
We announce our upcoming book club, reading together the poems of Juan Gelman’s Dark Times Filled With Light, taking to heart his encouragement to “find room in one another, humans.”
Poets and Poems: John Sibley Williams and “Disinheritance”
“Disinheritance” by John Sibley Williams is a beautiful, moving collection of poems dealing with grief, both real and imagined.
The Art of Stillness Book Club: A Second House in the Week
Our discussion of The Art of Stillness concludes with the suggestion to find a “second house in the week, ” a pause in our busy world of movement and connection.
Poetry Prompt: A Little Magic
As children we had only dipped our tiny toes in the world, yet felt that everything and anything was possible. We believed in magic. Let’s do the same, and write it into poems!
Committing Prufrock: There Will Be Time
Sandra Heska King continues her mission to Commit Prufrock, finding herself lost in the rabbit trails that can be a part of reading poems.
The Art of Stillness Book Club: Alone in the Dark
The thought of being alone can feel daunting if for no other reason, because we are not, really. When we are alone, we are still with ourselves. Our book club discussion of The Art of Stillness continues.
Poetry Prompt: Good Mischief
If you’re looking to get into a little mischief, you’ve come to the right place. Join us for some inspiration and laughter, then write a poem about your antics, past and present.
How to Keep Poetry Alive: Use The Growth Model
Literacy doesn’t end with invitations, nor maturity. To keep literacy alive, we can use The Growth Model of Education.
The Art of Stillness Book Club: Passage to Nowhere
We begin our book club discussion of Pico Iyer’s The Art of Stillness with the most simple and yet most difficult thing silence might ask of us: be still.
Poetic Asides: Norman Nicholson and Frank Stanford
Reading poetry can lead to the discovery of other poets and their poetry, such as what happened when other poets led to Norman Nicholson and Frank Stanford.
From Author to Publisher: L.L. Barkat’s Thoughts Are for You
Learn the surprising continuity of thought that links Barkat’s life as an author to her life as a publisher. The thoughts were, and still are, for you.