1.  Allow students to enjoy reading poems aloud first before analyzing them. Spend a few days simply savoring the sounds of poetry.

2.  Allow students to create poetry using magnetic poetry boards. Create a muse-filled atmosphere by dimming the lights and playing classical background music.

3.  Allow students to record themselves (either on video or audio) reading poetry aloud. Create a tape than can be "checked out" to take home. Younger students love poems in which they can engage in onomatopoeia. Try also allowing students to team up and recite poems for "two voices."

4.  Give students each a magazine (which can be cut up). Have each student cut out 25 words (putting them into an envelope as they go). When the student has accumulated the required number of words, have them lay out the words and put them together to form a poem. Glue words to construction paper.

5.  Take a nature walk. Have students bring along pencil and paper to create a "word bank" of descriptive words. What are the smells filling the air? What sounds do you hear if you sit silently for a full minute? What does bark feel like when you run your fingers over it lightly? Remind students to use all five of their senses. Once back in the classroom, have students use their words banks to create a nature poem.

6.  Create a "Poet-Tree" in your room. Using either a large, bare branch or an artificial tree such as a silk ficus, have students clip their favorite poems to the tree. Each day take a "poetry pause" and read one or two of the poems.

7.  The Never-Ending Poem. Have each student write one line of a poem. Then, have them pass their papers to the person behind (or beside) them. The next person writes one line and then passes the poem along to the next, and so on. After ten or so passes, have some of the students read the poems.

8.  Make sure students understand the "creation" stage of poem making and the "editing" stage are two different steps in the process. Some students try to edit as they create, which can stifle creativity.

9.  Allow students to perform "poetry plays." You can use those written by students, create your own "plays" by adapting favorite poems, or go to the Poetry Teacher's website to download suitable plays: http://www.poetryteachers.com/poetry theater/theater.html This strategy works well at all grade levels.

10. Create a class poetry anthology. Have each student choose his or her "best," most polished work for inclusion. Choose a snappy title for the book (e.g. Mrs. Paul's Plethora of Poetry). Display the book prominently in the room.