Annotated Bibliography for Teaching Poetry Developed by Sandra Feen and Rikki Santer, 2015

Addonizio, Kim. Ordinary Genius: A Guide for the Poet Within. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2009. A witty and inventive collection of writing exercises and reflections from a highly accomplished contemporary poet. Addonizio, Kim and Dorianne Laux. The Poet’s Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1997. A comprehensive collection of essays from two original and dynamic poets. Behn, Robin and Twichell, Chase, eds. The Practice of Poetry. New York: Harper Perennial, 1992. This is an extensive collection of writing exercises from poets who teach. Bernays, Anne and Pamela Painter, eds. What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers. New York: Harper Perennial, 1990. This book offers fabulous writing exercises for writers of fiction, and includes samples of student work. Many of the exercises can be used to create poetry or other genres as well. Bishop, Wendy. Thirteen Ways of Looking for a Poem: A Guide to Writing Poetry. New York: Longman, 2000. Each of the thirteen sections explores a different poetic form with strong professional models and creative “invention exercises” for applying those techniques. Bizzaro, Patrick. Responding to Student Poems: Applications of Critical Theory. Urbana, Illinois: National Council of Teachers of English, 1993. A sophisticated collection of essays that will help the teacher expand his/her range of responses to student writing. Bogen, Nancy. How to Write Poetry. New York: Prentice Hall, 1991. This book gives practical advice to beginning and advanced writers. Bosveld, Jennifer. Topics for Getting in Touch. Columbus: Pudding House Publications, 1999. In its 42nd printing, Bosveld has created writing exercises from A to Z. Brandeis, Gayle. Fruitflesh: Seeds of Inspiration for Women Who Write. New York: Harper Collins, 2004. This book is full of writing activities and inspiration for writers of any gender.

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Brown, Bill and Malcolm Glass. Important Words: A Book for Poets and Writers. Portsmouth, NH: Boynton/Cook Publishers, 1991. A classic guidebook with sections thematically presented with a wealth of prompt ideas. Capacchione, Lucia, Ph.D. The Creative Journal: The Art of Finding Yourself. Athens: Swallow Press/Ohio University Press, 2002. This book details the importance of keeping a journal and contains more than 50 writing and drawing exercises. Citino, David, ed. The Eye of the Poet: Six Views of the Art and Craft of Poetry. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. Six of the most prolific contemporary poets offer insight on the creative process, and the significant place that poetry holds within today’s society. Collom, Jack and Sheryl Noethe. Poetry Everywhere: Teaching Poetry Writing in School and in the Community. New York, New York: T&W Books, 2005 65 writing exercises and many instructive essays for ways to include poetry in the classroom. Dillard, Annie. The Writing Life. New York: Harper and Row, 1989. This book provides superb advice for writers of all levels. DuBoff, Leonard D. and Bert P. Krages. The Law (In Plain English) for Writers. Naperville: Sphinx Publishing, 2005. This is a wonderful sourcebook about the business of writing: submissions, permissions, book and magazine contracts, copyright ownership, plagiarism, etc. Duke, Charles R. and Sally A. Jacobsen. Poets’ Perspectives: Reading, Writing, and Teaching Poetry. Portsmouth, NH: Boyton/Cook Heinemann, 1992. An outstanding anthology of essays written by prominent poets who are also gifted teachers. Edgar, Christopher and Ron Padgett. Old Faithful: 18 Writers Present Their Favorite Writing Assignments. New York, New York: Teachers & Writers Collaborative, 1995. The essays in this collection are written my highly creative teachers of writing working with all types and ages of students. Epel, Naomi. Writers Dreaming. New York: Random House, 1993. 26 writers discuss their dreams and creative process. Fox, John. Finding What You Didn’t Lose: Expressing Your Truth and Creativity Through PoemMaking. New York: Putnam Books, 1995. This workbook assists writers in improving writing skills as well as presents a correlation between creativity and spirituality. 2

Fox, John. Poetic Medicine: The Healing Art of Poem-Making. New York: Putnam, 1997. This book offers guidance and inspiration, and assures a healthy mind, body, and spirit through writing. Friedman, Bonnie. Writing Past Dark: Envy, Fear, Distraction, and Other Dilemmas in the Writer’s Life. New York: Harper Collins, 1993. “Writing Past Dark charts the emotional side of the writer’s life” (cover). Goldberg, Natalie. Writing Down the Bones. Boston: Shambhala, 1986. “Natalie Goldberg’s classic broke new in its approach to writing as practice” (jacket). Grossman, Florence. Listening to the Bells: Learning to Read Poetry by Writing Poetry. Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Boynton/Cook Publishers, 1991. Lively topic categories with prompts and student models. Heard, Georgia. For the Good of the Earth and Sun. Portsmouth: Heinemann, 1989. This book gives methods for reading and writing poetry. Heard, Georgia. Writing Toward Home. Portsmouth: Heinemann, 1995. The prose that constitutes this book couldn’t be more thought-provoking. The exercises included are also excellent tools for writing any genre. Herring, Laraine. Writing Begins with the Breath: Embodying Your Authentic Voice. Boston & London: Shambhala, 2007. This book contains many ideas for inspiring those reluctant writers to connect with their powers of creativity for implementing what the author calls, “deep writing.” Hermsen, Terry. Poetry of Place: Helping Students Write Their Worlds. Urbana, Illinois: National Council of Teachers of English, 2009. Written by Ohio-based poet and teacher, the lesson plan models are lively and artful, accompanied by examples from his many students. Intrator, Sam M. and Megan Scribner, eds. Teaching with Fire: Poetry That Sustains the Courage to Teach. San Francisco: Jossey-Pass, 2003. Royalties from this inspirational anthology about teaching are used to fund scholarship opportunities for educators. Janecsko, Paul B. A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2005. An illustrated children’s book that with colorfully illustrated models that serve as delightful writing prompts.

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Jerome, Judson. The Poet’s Handbook. Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest Books, 1980. The Poet’s Handbookprovides “detailed instruction in the mechanics and art of writing poetry. Answers the questionsmost often asked by beginning poets” (cover). Johnson, David M. Word Weaving: A Creative Approach to Teaching and Writing Poetry. Urbana, Illinois: National Council of Teachers of English, 1990. Chock full of smart categories for framing prompts. Koch, Kenneth. Rose, Where Did You Get That Red? Teaching Great Poetry to Children. New York: Vintage Books, 1974. Using classic poems as models, Koch shares techniques to not only help children understand the great poems in our culture, but to be inspired by them in order to write their own. Many student models as examples. Koch, Kenneth. Wishes, Lies, and Dreams: Teaching Children to Write Poetry. New York: Vintage Books, 1970. A classic collection of prompt and student models as Koch describes the methods he used to make children find sheer enjoy in the writing of poetry. Koch, Kenneth and Kate Farrell. Sleeping on the Wing: An Anthology of Modern Poetry with Essays On Reading and Writing. New York: Random House, 1981. Some of the twentieth century’s most notable writers are represented in this anthology. Readers experience writers’ poetic voices, opinions, and own ideas for writing. Kooser, Ted. The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning Poets. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press, 2005. The narrative ease of this “how to” collection of essays written by a former U.S. Poet Laureate is highly accessible and wise. Kovacs, Edna. Writing Across Cultures: A Handbook on Writing Poetry & Lyrical Prose. Hillsboro, Oregon: Blue Heron Publishing, Inc., 1994. The multicultural bent in this extensive collection of techniques is inspiring. Lamott, Anne. Bird By Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. New York: Anchor Books, 1995. A national bestseller, Lamott’s book offers writing advice that is both effective and humorous. Leedy, Jack. J., ed. Poetry the Healer. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott Company, 1973. This still stands as one of the finest books that examines the field of poetry therapy. Levitt, Peter. Fingerpainting on the Moon: Writing and Creativity as a Path to Freedom. New York: Harmony Books, 2003. This unusual book conveys wisdom about the connections between spirituality and creativity, as well as provides layered creative writing assignments and topics. 4

Morice, Dave. The Adventures of Dr. Alphabet: 104 Unusual Ways to Write Poetry in the Classroom and the Community. New York, New York: Teachers & Writers Collaborative, 1995. The categories for these writing prompts vary from “automatic poetry” to “puzzle poetry.” Morrison, Carol. How to Build a Long-Lasting Fire: Writing Poems from Your Life. Lincolnwood, Illinois: NTC Publishing Group, 1997. Each chapter contains a wealth of lessons that connect to various components of everyday life. Oliver, Mary. A Poetry Handbook. San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Co., 1994. Oliver discusses the fundamental steps to building a poem. Oliver, Mary. Blue Pastures. San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Co., 1995. Mary Oliver created a book of prose that focuses on the connections between nature and writing. Oliver, Mary. Winter Hours. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1999. While some poetry is included, this is primarily a collection of nine award-winning essays about writing poetry. Rico, Gabriele Lusser. Writing the Natural Way: Using Right-Brain Techniques to Release Your Expressive Powers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 1983. A must-have guide to help those reluctant writers to gain confidence in their imagination and skills as creative writers. Rilke, Rainer Maria. Letters to a Young Poet. New York: W.W. Norton, 1934. This is perhaps the best advice I have ever read for living the creative life -- for living, period! It is has been deemed by many university professors, “the poet’s Bible.” Shelnutt, Eve. The Magic Pencil: Teaching Children Creative Writing. Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers, 1988. While this is a thorough tool for both children and adults, some writing activities within this text are perhaps more appropriate within the elementary or middle school classroom. Shelnutt, Eve. The Writing Room: Keys to the Craft of Fiction and Poetry. Atlanta: Longstreet Press, 1989. Shelnutt offers theories and practical suggestions for transforming thought into multi-genres. Ueland, Brenda. If You Want to Write: A Book About Art, Independence, and Spirit. Saint Paul: Graywolf Press, 1987. First published in 1938, this book provides timeless support and wisdom for writers. Williams, Miller. The Patterns of Poetry: An Encyclopedia of Forms. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State UP, 1986. This book provides meticulous information regarding the poetic forms that are used by poets with significant literary merit. 5

Woodruff, Jay, ed. A Piece of Work: Five Writers Discuss Their Revisions. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1993. This book is a collection of interviews and includes examples of authors’ work in varying stages of development. Wooldridge, Susan Goldsmith. Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1996. This is a playful collection of exercises, enthusiastic meditations, and advice for both teachers and students exploring the craft of poetry. Wormser, Baron and David Cappella. A Surge of Language: Teaching Poetry Day by Day. Portsmouth, N.H.: Heinemann, 2004. The subtitle says it all—a plethora of lively prompts and models.

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