Challenge to Put 'How to Read a Poem' on a Teacher's Desk in Every State

Online, April 11, 2014 (Newswire.com) - T. S. Poetry Press wants National Poetry Month to go the extra mile this year and actually change the way poetry is taught and experienced. It has issued a challenge to the ordinary person, to give a copy of 'How to Read a Poem: Based on the Billy Collins Poem "Introduction to Poetry"' to a local English teacher—with the goal of changing what many teachers and students experience as the "grim art of poetry teaching" (a phrase they borrowed from one of their student interns) to the "delightful art of poetry teaching."

The challenge began in South Dakota, where two books were bought and given to local teachers. Then the tongue-in-cheek call went out, "You don't want to be outdone by South Dakota, do you?"

New York soon followed with three books bought—one for a local teacher, one for a local library, and one for Poet's House in New York City. (The book includes an anthology of poetry as well as innovative thoughts on how to experience and teach poetry.)

T. S. Poetry Press is sharing results via a map that is updated daily, so participants can see just how far the book might make it across the United States, for the purposes of creating real change in poetry teaching and education.

At a time when teachers are resigning and making public statements about it, because of what they feel are draconian methods and evaluation systems, this challenge seeks to create inspiration for teachers and a healthy dose of goodwill in communities, around the issue of poetry teaching.

T. S. Poetry Press would like to see the ethos of the book spread to other types of teaching as well, to promote a love of learning and a higher level of thinking that does not focus on "one right answer" but promotes creativity and exploration.

For more information on how to get involved in inspiring teachers across the United States (and eventually the world), visit tweetspeakpoetry.com and look for the National Poetry Month Dare to Give an English Teacher 'How to Read a Poem.'

Questions? Contact editor@tspoetry.com or visit http://tweetspeakpoetry.com