TOOLS FOR EDUCATORS
Get regular updates on writing and publishing opportunities for students, access to curriculum tools, and professional development opportunities with The Telling Room.
Above: Amanda Dettmann and Madeline Curtis, Telling Room authors featured in A New Land
A New Land Unit Plan
Common Core & Maine Learning Standards Aligned
Level: Grade Nine - English Language Arts
Length: One week, with options for standalone lessons
This poetry unit inspires students to see themselves as writers by exposing them to examples of excellent peer writing from A New Land, providing opportunities for collaboration and discussion, and supporting them through the revision process. In an effort to make poetry analysis accessible to all students, no matter their previous exposure or level of academic development, lessons have been designed to scaffold analytical skills and offer a variety of ways for students to engage with texts. The progression of the unit reflects the central tenets of The Telling Room’s educational philosophy by giving students low stakes opportunities to practice writing and share their ideas with their peers. Students will leave the unit with a drafted and revised poem and, hopefully, more confidence in themselves as writers and thinkers.
Acknowledgements: This unit was created by Veronica Foster, an English teacher at Biddeford High School, with support from Telling Room alumnae Amanda Dettmann and Madeline Curtis and feedback from Xu Li and Kurt Ostrow.
ADDITIONAL TEACHING TOOLS FOR A NEW LAND
"This anthology is strongly recommended for all teachers of creative writing, especially at the high school level. You will find sustenance to share in every poem."
— Naomi Shihab Nye, Poetry Foundation’s Young People's Poet Laureate, author of Voices in the Air: Poems for Listeners, and The Tiny Journalist
A paperback copy of A New Land rests on top of a black typewriter
WRITE: Each poem in A New Land is accompanied by writing prompts to inspire your students! Writing prompts are included in the e-book edition of A New Land, and can also be downloaded separately here.
LISTEN & WATCH: We have multiple engaging multimedia interpretations of the poems in A New Land to share with your classroom! Share these engaging readings and performances of poetry from A New Land coming to life with your students, which can be found here.
PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS & EDUCATORS
Featured
TELLING ROOM TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
A guide for giving feedback that inspires students and puts them in control of their writing.
Concrete revision strategies for students writing poetry.
In a Rotating Questions discussion, students have the opportunity to engage in a written discussion with their peers.
A tool for evaluating students on preparation, engagement, discussion, effort, and listening skills in a group work setting.
HOST AN AUTHOR VISIT
Our authors would love to pop into your classroom for a virtual visit! If you would like one of our writers to drop in for a conversation on writing and the publishing process, please reach out to us at: publications@tellingroom.org.
ORDER BOOKS
If you are an educator or organization looking to purchase Telling Room titles in bulk, please contact us at publications@tellingroom.org. You can also find our books on our website, at Print: A Bookstore, and other fine independent booksellers near you!