Poetic Thinking: Using Poetry to Enhance Student Analytical Skills and Creativity

The purpose of this class is to prove that poetic thinking is a marketable skill! The class will focus on ways that teachers can use poetry to incorporate the emphasis on college and career readiness skills coming from the new Common Core in Language Arts. Since poetry presents the perfect medium to teach the 21^st century skills of creative problem solving and critical thinking, the class will teach ways to encourage analytical thought, innovation, strategic thinking, and creativity through verse. The class will include specific examples, lesson plans, and digital resources to help teachers take these ideas directly to the classroom.

Class participants will have enhanced abilities in the following areas:

• Understanding the art of crafting language
• Interpreting figurative and connotative meanings
• Analyzing syntax, imagery, and structure
• Applying mind mapping, lateral thinking, graphic representations
• Using poetry as a creative catalyst
• Adapting the Creative Problem Process to poetry interpretation
• Presenting poetry through the use of digital media

Instructor:  Brenda Burr
Dates:  June 23–24 (Th–F)
Times:  8:30 am–4:30 pm
Limited Enrollment:  50
Room/Building:  2287 CONF
Tuition:  $227

Grading Criteria: Grades will be determined based on participation, attendance, and completion of in-class assignments. Class assignments will include skill practice, group work, thought sharing, and strategy applications.