About the Poetry Institute

The Favorite Poem Project
Robert Pinsky, professor of English and creative writing at Boston University, founded the Favorite Poem Project during his tenure as Poet Laureate of the United States. The national initiative is dedicated to celebrating and documenting poetry’s place in American culture and improving its place in American classrooms.

The Summer Poetry Institute, led by Robert Pinsky, builds on the principles of the Favorite Poem Project. Participating teachers receive teaching materials, including a DVD featuring project participants from across the country each reading aloud and speaking about a poem they love. Many of the lesson plans developed by Institute participants are made available to a national audience of teachers through the project’s website: www.favoritepoem.org.

A Unique Opportunity
The Institute offers participating teachers a remarkable week-long opportunity to study and discuss poetry with renowned practitioners of the art, five award-winning American poets. Past faculty has included poets Frank Bidart, Mark Doty, David Ferry, Louise Glück, Gail Mazur, Heather McHugh, and Rosanna Warren. Each faculty member meets with teachers to look closely at excellent poems in a seminar/discussion setting. Each day of the Institute wraps up with a poetry reading given by faculty.

In addition, participating teachers work in groups throughout the week with leaders from Boston University’s School of Education. Based on the Institute seminars, and incorporating their own skills and ideas, the teacher-groups develop innovative and energizing lesson plans with the aim of invigorating the teaching of poetry in their schools and classrooms. The Institute encourages dialogue among teachers about past successes, difficulties and insights they’ve had in bringing poetry to students in their various communities, seeking to build on participating teachers’ experiences.

At the end of the week, teachers present lesson plans they’ve created and take part in a “Favorite Poem” reading event, sharing a favorite poem along with a brief reflection. We encourage participating educators to organize similar Favorite Poem reading events in their classrooms, schools, or broader communities during the academic year.

Poetry discussions led by ‘real’ poets added depth and a scholarly aspect to the institute that is often lacking in teacher workshops. I find the teacher as learner aspect very rejuvenating.

— Merri Jones
Frank Sokolowski School
Chelsea, MA