The Art of Poetry Program

A one-semester or yearlong course for students in grades 7-12 

“I dwell in Possibility— A fairer House than Prose—” While we think of poetry as the best words in the best order, we sometimes forget how important its poetic or metaphoric thinking is to various subjects such as writing, speaking, business, and science.

The Art of Poetry is an excellent middle or high school curriculum that teaches the practice of reading a poem closely and absorbing its beauty.

Full program includes:

• The Art of Poetry (consumable student edition) This book contains 16 chapters and over 100 poems. The first 8 chapters cover the elements of poetry (such as images, metaphor, rhythm, and tone); the final chapters cover the forms of poetry (such as ode, villanelle, and open verse). Each chapter includes an extensive explication of one poem, along with exercises and discussion questions on additional poems. Biographies of 51 poets, a glossary of terms, an index of all the poems and authors, and an application section with ideas on how to continue a study of poetry are all included in this thoughtful course.
• The Art of Poetry Teacher’s Edition This edition is a valuable resource for teachers that includes the entire The Art of Poetry student edition content and an answer key, as well as detailed and fascinating explications of 39 poems. The introduction for the teacher offers teaching tips and suggestions. Thorough appendices include a poetry timeline, quizzes for each chapter, and a cumulative book quiz.
• The Art of Poetry Streaming Video The Art of Poetry video features more than 15 hours of the author teaching four thoughtful 8th grade students through the entire The Art of Poetry text. Many of the discussions, which proceed chapter by chapter, capture the “magic” of a Socratic teacher encountering strong students and timeless works of literature. Whether your student is interested in writing, wants to understand the way poems are made, or simply wants to become more attuned to language and metaphor, this is an ideal resource—a course in a box for middle or high school students. The author demonstrates in real-time the end-of-chapter activities, which are intended to teach students the practice of poem writing. The streaming option provides the convenience of instant access, as well as desktop, smart TV, and mobile viewing capabilities.  For Homeschoolers, streaming access lasts for the life of the product. Returning school customers continue receiving streaming access at no annual cost when student editions are purchased by October 31st.

See our Support tab above for schedule recommendations and complimentary audio files featuring the author, Christine Perrin, and her husband, Dr. Christopher Perrin, reading the poems aloud.