Start simple with short fun poems for students to memorize and recite in front of class. This "Poetry Recitation" worksheet includes: tips for memorizing/reciting poetry, 12 short poems (by authors Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky, Odgen Nash, etc.) for students to recite, and a rubric to evaluate their recitation (including loudness/clarity, eye contact, memorization, and creativity). I convert my classroom into a "coffee house", dim the lights, and serve treats to make the poetry recitation a hit!

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I have been teaching grades 7 and 8 Language Arts and Social Studies at De Anza Academy of Technology & the Arts in Ventura, California since 2001. I have also briefly taught high school ESL (grades 9-12), and I spent one month teaching English in Moscow, Russia.
