Poetry from the Students' Point of View

These three responses were written by students in Sandina Alexander's Advanced Placement language class. See "Poetry and the Standards?" to get their teacher's views on teaching poetry.

Last year, I participated in a poetry class taught by Mrs. Alexander. The approach taken was one by which the students in the class learned a new type of poem each day. This allowed us, the students, to learn a great deal in a short time. The most noticeable feature of the teaching style of Mrs. Alexander is the degree of group participation she encourages. Not only among students, but also between students and herself. This made discussions pleasant and helped us understand different poetical skills we each possessed. By far, Mrs. Alexander is a teacher who excels at teaching a very laid back but informative and enjoyable poetry class.
        ―Senior, Manchester High School

Poetry has always been a good release for me when I am feeling stressed. The past year a lot of changes have occurred in my life and I have found relief through writing poetry. Last year, I took a poetry class and that helped me a lot with my technique and it showed me the different types of poems. Although this class was very helpful, I would much rather write a poem in free style. I believe that in free style, the writer can be more expressive. Poetry helps the writer let out his/her emotions and show how he/she is feeling without having to say it.
        ―Senior, Manchester High School

Poetry can be very difficult for someone to write. The problem with many people trying to write poetry is not that they are not poetic, but that they have been misled about what poetry is. Some believe poems have to rhyme, follow a certain format, or be sappy. Mrs. Alexander has taught my fellow classmates and me that poetry can never be wrong.

Occasionally, Mrs. Alexander will give her students a broad topic to write about and the type of poem that should be written. I don't think that is very fair. I feel poetry is very personal. If a person writes poetry, it should be about whatever it is they want to write about, and it should be expressed in whatever way he/she feels is right. It is very difficult for many students to have to write about a topic they are not interested in. Students shouldn't have to feel it is a hassle to be poetic. I think that the majority of people, not just students, need to have a better understanding of poetry and that each individual can have their own opinion of what poetry means to them.

Mrs. Alexander has helped to provide me with a fresh look at poetry. Poetry is not all lovey-dovey, sad, or emotional. Poems can be humorous and about the simplest subject. Even an ordinary pencil can be turned into poetry. There is a poet in everyone, just not everyone believes he/she has poetry in them.
        ―Junior, Manchester High School

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