Shows how the precise language and keen observations of poems can be used as tools for addressing content and language standards In Practical Poetry, Sara Holbrook shows how the precise language and keen observations of poems can be used as nuts-and-bolts tools for addressing content and language standards in four key subject areas. Practical Poetry includes chapters showing how to promote content understanding and meaning-making in language, arts, maths, science, and social studies by making poems functional. Each of Holbrook’s lessons: describes the rationale for how and why the lessons work; identifies the specific content standards addressed in teaching; includes exemplar poems to use right away or to guide the teacher in weaving favourite poems into lesson planning; provides examples of student work from classrooms where poetry has been used successfully as a vehicle for learning. With applications to content standards woven throughout, Practical Poetry will prove ideal for teachers who think they don’t have room in a standards-based curriculum to teach with poems. Following Sara Holbrook’s advice will energize students, reinforce their topical understanding over a variety of content-area standards, and build their critical-thinking and language skills. Poetry has never been so practical. Uses poetry to generates student interest and promote critical thinking Advises teachers how to integrate poetry into lessons without sacrificing time in the curriculum