To teach civil rights is partly to teach how to deal with mixed emotions. Callie Feyen uses a striking picture book to help you teach with depth & clarity.
The Writing Life: Paterson’s Blank Page
In the film Paterson, Charity Singleton Craig finds the routine of doing the same thing in the same place day after day forms a canvas on which to create.
Committing Prufrock: 6 Great Ways to Memorize a Poem
Sandra Heska King continues her poetry dare, memorizing T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” Today, she shares her tips for memorizing a poem.
Animate: Thread Poetry Prompt
This week’s poetry prompt asks you to imagine yourself a winding thread. Join us, animate yourself into a long, thin strand, and create poetry.
Make It: Poetry Hearts at the Table
A lovely glass milk jug becomes the inspiration for a beautiful poetry hearts activity. Join Callie Feyen and make a few thoughtful hearts for Valentines or just for fun.
Top 10 Best Ship, Sail & Boat Poems
From the drifting of free verse to the mooring of form the sea is just waiting for poetry to sail in. Enjoy ten great poems about ships, sailing, and boats.
Love Knot: Poetry Prompt
A single strand of dark red ribbon winds its way around the ebony locks of Bess, the innkeeper’s daughter, creating a love knot. Entwine a poetic knot of love this week and write your own clove-hitch of the heart.
Life Notes: Tea is Necessary
With both hands wrapped around a steaming mug, Ann Kroeker recognizes that life needs pauses. And life needs tea.
Eating and Drinking Poems: Barbara Crooker’s “Ode to Olive Oil”
Laura Lynn Brown offers a reflection on Barbara Crooker’s “Ode to Olive Oil” and a tasty recipe of white beans with sage to go with it.
Dark Times Filled with Light: Crestfallen
In our final discussion of Dark Times Filled with Light, we look at Juan Gelman’s masterful manipulation of language and the challenges of translation.
Horizon Line: Poetry Prompt
The simple string marking the space between earth and the sky is much more than it seems. It’s a line of possibility. Come with us on a journey along a horizon line and write some poetry exploring its potential.
Interview with an English Teacher, Pt 2: The Heroic in Literature
English teacher Diane Flint reflects on “the heroic” and “the hero’s journey” as a central theme taught in most English curricula.
Poets & Writers Toolkit: 10 Must-Know Website Tips & Tricks for Writers
Web designer LW Willingham has 10 great tips and tools to keep the sparkle (and security) in your WordPress website or blog.
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.
Form It: Horizons Poetry Prompt
“Form It” is a poetry prompt that focuses on exploring our topic through form poetry. The prompt includes recommendations for each form’s best use! This time, we’re going to “form” horizons.
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.
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.
Expanding Horizons: Poetry Prompt
Dream big and take a chance. It’s time to consider expanding horizons and make a difference in your life. Write a poem about possibilities, opportunities, or plans. You can make it happen.
Facing Ordeals, Learning Personal Qualities: How Odysseus’s Adventures Served Him Well
Through a series of adventures, Odysseus experiences an inner journey that teaches him prudence. By the end, peace brings his journey full circle.
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.