This week I led a professional development session for teachers, “Vitamin P: Boosting the Use of Poetry in the Literacy Block.”

For three hours, we played with poetry! We talked about how to infuse poetry across the curriculum, find rich and meaningful poems, and present poetry in different ways– charts, slides, big books, and more.

The teachers perused a huge selection of poetry books and made poetry charts for their classrooms, choosing poems that were just right for their students.


It was joyful, creative, and energizing. And the teachers’ feedback was amazing…
“You are so passionate about poetry! It is infectious :)”
“It’s so exciting to reignite the power of poetry in the classroom, especially to spark SEL conversations.”
“I really feel that poetry helps to level the playing field for many struggling readers and kids who may feel unsure of themselves, as well as a powerful place for higher level thinking.”
“This filled my soul! I needed ‘permission’ to use poetry again!”
*****As a presenter, it was an exciting and delightful day.
As a poet, I was thrilled to reignite the poetry flame in many of the teachers.
We all left the workshop with an elevated dose of “Vitamin P!”

On Fridays, I love taking part in Poetry Friday when I can, where writers share resources about children’s poetry. This week, check out the Poetry Friday Roundup here.
It sounds like a very health dose of Vitamin P was just what the doctor (and teachers) ordered. Good on your for inspiring them, and sharing the love.
Thank you!
Great title for a workshop!
Thanks, Irene!
Mary, this is a lovely, enthusiastic post, and enthusiasm and love for poetry is what I am sure you bring to your teaching. So glad you are sharing all this on Poetry Friday.
Thank you, Janice!
What a lovely week. It’s great to hear school news of books being delighted in, instead of being taken away. A great dose of Vitamin P!
Thanks, Tanita!
Terrific! “Vitamin P” sounds like something we should keep using until everyone knows what it means.
Thank you, Tabatha!
Three hours of playing with poetry sounds heavenly. 🙂 And what encouraging and uplifting feedback! Love it.
Thanks, Karen!
Mary, what a joy for those teachers to leave after three hours with a collection of special poems in a format they can use tomorrow in their classroom. Those are the best kinds of workshops. And to have your passion for poetry rubbing off on the presenters was so important. Thanks for upping the Vitamin P levels of all of us too.
Thank you, Denise!
I love thinking about Vitamin P! What a great name for a workshop! Thanks for spreading all of that poetry love!
Thanks so much, Marcie!
Vitamin P! What a joy! I wish my kindergarten teaching-sister could be part of this kind of group!
Thank you, Patricia!