Today, I start my adventures in teaching Creative Writing. And blogging. Basically, blogging about teaching Creative Writing, neither of which I have done before. I requested to teach Creative Writing last year as I started to immerse myself in contemporary poetry. Now willfully drowning, I am grateful to my school for granting my request. I don’t know my students yet–I get to meet them later today–but I do know that I want them all to love poetry. Reading it, writing it, swimming in it.

As the creator of the #TeachLivingPoets hashtag on Twitter, my focus for class will be exactly that–teaching poems by LIVING poets. On the list so far are poems by: Kaveh Akbar, RA Villanueva, Safia Elhillo, Melissa Range, Joshua Bennett, Cathy Park Hong, Eve Ewing, Maggie Smith, Mahtem Shiferraw, Ross Gay, Savon Bartley, Tracy K. Smith, and Gabrielle Calvocoressi.

My first day lesson is called What is Poetry? Materials needed are Play-doh, colorful paper, markers, internet connection and devices for using FlipGrid. The directions are as follows:

To begin our poetry adventures together, I would like for you to consider your personal definition of poetry.

1. With a partner, brainstorm a list of different ways you define poetry
2. Create a Play-doh sculpture that physically illustrates your perception of poetry
3. Set your sculpture on a sheet of colored paper. Write individual words and phrases around the paper that sum up your definition
4. Using FlipGrid, record a 90-second video explanation of:
   1. Your definition
   2. How your sculpture encapsulates your definition
   3. Explain the words around your paper

….fast-forward 3 hours….

Even as a teacher of 13 years, I still get just a little nervous for the first day of class, and today was no exception. My excitement far outweighs any jitters though, as I get to devote a whole class everyday to something I really love. I expect to have a lot of fun with this class.

Students played through creation and considered their definitions of poetry. Common words were emotions, creative, expression, musical, and personal. 

I would consider our first day together a success. My goal is to blog once a week, or when I feel like I have something worth sharing.  Any ideas, lessons, and advice are welcome!  🙂

Follow me on Twitter! @MelAlterSmith