The Easiest Way to Teach Poetry This Year (That Students Will Actually Love)

I was always one of those students who loved poetry. I loved it in high school, I wrote an honors thesis on it in college, and I even did my masters in teaching poetry at the secondary level. But actually teaching poetry in high school? Omg. While there were times I felt like I got a poem that students loved, or was able to get some fun analysis through, it was often just a slog. Students come in thinking they don’t like poetry, teachers are nervous about teaching it, and it just is altogether a stressful time.

But, one year, I decided to play an episode of Poetry Unbound, which is part of the On Being Project, and my students were so engaged–it was wild. I love this podcast–it’s good for my own brain. And my students were so into it too! Win-win.

What Is Poetry Unbound—and Why Does It Work?

Poetry Unbound is a short-form podcast by Pádraig Ó Tuama. Each 6–12 minute episode includes:

• A warm, poetic reading

• Insightful, accessible analysis

• A second reading of the poem so that you can consolidate the analysis

I think it works because poetry actually IS interesting. Poets are fascinating–what they do with language is endlessly creative and speaks to the human experience in a way that no other writing can. Also, Ó Tuama is fantastic. His reading is wonderful and his analysis is the perfect blend of personal reaction and thoughtful, rigorous analysis.

Use it in the Classroom

Every episode can take over a full 45–60 minute class period. You press play, let Ó Tuama work his magic, and then sit back while your students dissect the poem further.

Here’s my go-to format:

1. Print the poem for students to follow along. Bonus: let them doodle while they listen.

2. Play the podcast episode.

3. Start discussion by asking, “What stood out to you?” and let the conversation flow from there.

4. Use discussion questions that invite connection—not just analysis.

Some of my favorite episodes for class:

• “What You Missed That Day You Were Absent from Fourth Grade” — nostalgia, identity, and life lessons

• “i’m going back to Minnesota where sadness makes sense” — grief and place

• “Ode to My Homegirls” — friendship, survival, and joy as resistance

These poems stick with students–they speak to their experiences and give voice to their inner feelings.

If you don’t want to wing it…

I have a ready to go, no prep mini unit with five of my favorite episodes from Poetry Unbound that are prefect for a random day, National Poetry Month, a between unit palate cleanser, or anything else! Bonus, it has a great, interactive project at the end that is really fun and easy for you!

This mini unit is:

• Engaging — the poems are emotional, current, and unforgettable

• Zero prep — just print and press play

• Flexible — perfect for a stand-alone lesson or a full two-week unit

• Discussion-rich — built for real conversation, not surface-level Q&A

• AI-proof — the whole thing can be done by hand and out loud

Want to Try It?

I’ve bundled my favorite episodes into an easy-to-use Poetry Unbound Mini Unit with:

• 5 episodes with direct links to audio + transcripts

• Discussion questions that spark genuine student insight

• A creative podcast project to tie it all together

You can teach one poem or the whole unit. You can use it as a launchpad into deeper poetry study—or just a beautiful break from the novel grind.

✨ Grab the Poetry Unbound Mini Unit on TpT here.
✨ Or save it to your wish list for when you need a quick win this semester.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to reinvent poetry class to make it meaningful. You just need the right voice, the right poem, and a few good questions. Let this be the year students stop saying “I hate poetry” and start saying “Can we listen to another one?”