Word Choice Matters: Teaching Children through the Poetic Process to Write What They Mean

Heidi Simmons expertly shows us how to celebrate the magic of poetry while solving the mystery of how to help young writers express themselves poetically. This is a gradual release plan that will make sense to both teachers and students—and will work! This longtime educator and passionate teacher of poetry guides us step-by-step through eight poetry lessons, each with multiple sessions that bring elements of word choice in poetry to life within and beyond the classroom. Every session shows us how to: say it, show it, discover it, note it, brave it, share it, and continue it. Busy teachers will also appreciate the time-saving classroom-ready resources, and clearly identified lists of materials and procedures. Best of all are the many poems crafted by children that demonstrate not just a particular word choice concept, but exemplify such inspired writing that you will want your students to experience these same poetic opportunities.

Grades K-5