Re- centering poetry: A pedagogical approach to interdisciplinary learning

This chapter explores the power of poetry as an instructional tool that fosters interdisciplinary connections in K- 8 classrooms. Beginning with a poem to celebrate the genre's richness, the chapter highlights poetry's historical and cultural significance as a means of expression. Research demonstrates how poetry values students' identities, positions them as experts in their own lives, and deepens their understanding of their peers. The authors present an instructional framework that integrates poetry across subject areas, allowing educators to incorporate it at various stages-before, during, or after a lesson-to activate prior knowledge, build contextual understanding, and support reflection and assessment. Poetry's inherent rhythm and storytelling elements engage learners in meaningful ways, making complex subjects more accessible. The chapter provides lesson plans, guiding questions, and supplementary resources, offering teachers practical strategies to re- center poetry in their classrooms and enhance student learning across disciplines.