Learn Then Burn: A Modern Poetry Anthology for the Classroom

by Tim Stafford

Hello teachers! We know you work hard. Besides ninjas, you have the hardest job in the world. Between the teaching, the testing, the grading, and the nurturing it’s difficult to seek out new materials for your classroom. We are here to help. As poets and teachers, we know the power of the spoken word in the classroom. All you have to do is attend a youth slam or find a clip of one online and you will see the positive impact modern poetry has on our young people. It is able to engage students from any background in a way that classical poetry simply cannot touch. A complaint we’ve heard from many teachers is that they would love to use spoken word in their classrooms but they are afraid of getting in trouble with rough language and themes. So behold! We asked some of the best contemporary spoken word and slam poets to give us poems that would be appropriate for the classroom. This means you will not have to sift through this book with a highlighter to try and find the F’s and the S’s and the B’s and the Z’s. We’ve provided poems from national slam champs, world slam champs, fellow teachers, and poets we feel are the best of what’s around. We’ve also included some amazing lessons in its companion book for the teacher, sold separately.

Genres: Poetry

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2010

Reviews

[Ronnie Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could shower praise on this book until my fingers are numb, but you need to know only one thing - every single student I have EVER shared this book with has gone nuts for it. If you've ever tried to teach a teenager poetry, you know that it isn't always easy. If you're struggling with finding poems that your students will get into, or if you're just looking for an introduction to some of today's newest, most talented writers, get your hands on this book. And for teachers, there's a bonus - the teacher's companion is FANTASTIC!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of pieces sharp and worth reading. I can see the angle towards high school and college students with a focused voice. Still, parts of it seem somewhat dated. How much the world has changed since 2010.

[behsforensics]

Cutting is for Rhythms of Black Culture
By Bonafide Rojas, Dan Sully and Ben
Butter

[Teacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! I cannot tell you how much work this saved me. I was familiar with many of the Spoken Word poets represented in the anthology, but not all. It is priceless to have someone else sift out all the profanity but NOT filter out the powerful poems in this under represented genre. Teens from all backgrounds really loved this unit. {NB: I used this in an Islamic High School}

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great poetry collection. Don't be deceived by its title; it's great for non-students as well (the title comes from its focus on poems about growing up, etc.).

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun