Awakening the Heart: Exploring Poetry in Elementary and Middle School [Paperback]

Georgia Heard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2, 1998 | ISBN-10: 032500093X | ISBN-13: 978-0325000930 | Edition: 1

 Grades K-8

Awakening the Heart is a stirring personal reminder that encouraging children to discover the words and images of their own lives, as we discover our own, is a crucial devotion. We all need such books as lanterns and guides.

–Naomi Shihab Nye

Fans of the best-selling For the Good of the Earth and Sun will applaud this sequel by beloved author Georgia Heard–an inspiring and practical handbook that celebrates the natural power of poetry to teach the essential tools of all writing.

Awakening the Heart explores how to cultivate the poet in every elementary and middle school student–through well-drawn examples, detailed exercises, creative projects, and down-to-earth classroom teachings. Along the way, we learn how to: create environments that encourage children to express their innate sense of wonder; introduce poetry that will engage them; and help children make the transition from reading and talking to writing.

Best of all, Awakening the Heart is filled with luminous poems–by children, famous poets, and Heard herself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Awakening the Heart is a stirring personal reminder that encouraging children to discover the words and images of their own lives, as we discover our own, is a crucial devotion. We all need such books as lanterns and guides.”–Naomi Shihab Nye

About the Author

Georgia Heard is a founding member of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project where she worked as senior staff developer in the New York City schools for seven years. She is currently a frequent keynote speaker at conferences, and a consultant and visiting author in school districts throughout the U.S, Canada and around the world. She is the author of numerous professional books on teaching writing including her most recent A Place for Wonder: Reading and Writing Nonfiction in the Primary Grades (Stenhouse, 2009) and Awakening the Heart: Exploring Poetry in Elementary and Middle School (Heinemann) which was cited by Instructor Magazine as "One of the Ten Best Books Every Teacher Should Read." She has also authored many children's books including her most recent Falling Down the Page: A Book of List Poems (Roaring Brook Press, 2009).

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann; 1 edition (November 2, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 032500093X
• ISBN-13: 978-0325000930
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.5 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Education & Reference > Schools & Teaching > Lesson Planning
  • #39 in Books > Education & Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Study & Teaching
  • #52 in Books > Education & Reference > Schools & Teaching > Curricula

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Usable classroom ideas which will change your teaching style July 9, 1999

By Margaret Hendrix ([e-mail]

Format:Paperback

Ms. Heard has put together exercises and knowledge to create a stunning list of usable classroom exercises. She uplifts even the most discouraged teacher heart and gives you the renewed vigor to attack ignorance while inspiring others to find the light within.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Add Depth to you Poetry Instruction February 4, 2004

By Mrs. Tiffany Regan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I used this book as a basis for starting a poetry study in my classroom of 4th graders. The information and ideas that Ms. Heard gives are fantastic. It helps you create an poetry friendly environment, not just a few lessons. My students responded whole-heartedly to the suggested activities. The heart map activity was one of their favorites. She gives advice on how to help children write from their hearts and access true emotion (as opposed to writing about surface feelings,"I like my Nintendo"). This is the best poetry book for classroom instruction that I've found. Also, it is an easy and quick read.
I saw her speak on this book at Regis University in June 2003, she is an engaging speaker and it made me love the book even more.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful April 9, 2008

By happylady

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a middle school teacher who found this book full of useful ideas which I have incorporated into my poetry unit. I also have Ms. Heard's book, For the Good of the Earth and Sun,and I found this one (Heart)to contain more practical lessons on poetry mechanics. She describes the how-to's of poetic language, form, rhythm and rhyme, etc, which were easily adapted to fit my students' needs. I did have to do a lot of reading and typing (no ready-to-copy pages) but it was worth the effort. I esp loved the heart mapping and the six-room description process.