Website review by Jeff Knutson, Common Sense Education | Updated October 2013
Poetry 180
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Poetry 180

180 instant poetry lessons, courtesy of Poet Laureate Billy Collins

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Community rating
Based on 4 reviews
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Grades
8–12
Subjects & Skills
English Language Arts, Communication & Collaboration, Character & SEL, Critical Thinking
Price:  Free
Platforms:  Website
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Take a look inside

5 images
Straightforward presentation-- you can find the link to the poems quickly.
Pick and choose poems here-- you can also search by number.
Collins' "Introduction to Poetry" serves as an apt beginning.
Collins provides a step-by-step guide for reading poems aloud.
The site features a link to the LOC Poetry and Literature Center.

Pros: True to its title, this site is a list of ready-to-share poems that lend themselves to being read aloud.

Cons: Analytical reading isn't promoted; poet biographies and historical context would be a welcome addition.

Bottom Line: This accessible site supports a daily community-building ritual of reading poetry aloud.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

The simplicity of the site invites many applications. An entire school community may want to create a ritual of reading poems daily, perhaps sharing them after the announcements. Within the classroom, a teacher might begin the year selecting a daily poem and soliciting volunteers to read aloud, modeling expectations of the ritual throughout the year and moving toward an environment where students begin to take ownership of the process.

For further application, have your students focus on research and comprehension. For example, with a poem assigned in advance, students -- either working independently or collaboratively -- could research a poet’s life, prepare discussion prompts, and pull specific vocabulary to highlight. Students could present findings and critical questions to the class, including a reading. Such an assignment could extend the work with these poems beyond the Common Core Speaking and Listening Standards, helping students interact with the language in more complex and meaningful ways.

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Standards:

Poetry 180: A Poem a Day for American High Schools says it all. Created during his tenure as U.S. Poet Laureate, this is Billy Collins’ list of 180 poems that invite being read aloud. Chosen specifically with teens in mind, the poems touch on engaging subjects such as relationships, struggles with siblings and parents, love and loyalty, death and change.

The site's homepage presents Collins’ reasoning behind the collection and then offers five links: 1) the list of poems, 2) the Library of Congress’ Poetry and Literature Center, 3) suggestions on how to use the list, 4) permissions for the poems, and 5) an explanation on how to best read poems aloud (there’s a downloadable audio version of this guide as well). As a longtime advocate for experiencing rather than analyzing poetry, Collins has placed the focus of the site on the list. Simply choose a poem, and you’re ready to read.

Poetry 180's greatest strength is also its biggest weakness: It’s a list of poems -- no more, no less. Keeping this in mind, you'll find a collection of poems that teens will love to listen to. The range in language, imagery, form, and subject matter may even win over reluctant students who might think that poetry is beyond their grasp. The ritual of reading aloud every day can enhance a sense of classroom community.

With the poems numbered, you could easily use Poem #1 -- Collins’ “Introduction to Poetry” -- on the first day of school and proceed from there. If, however, you’re seeking poems with ready-made discussion prompts, comprehension questions, or literary devices already highlighted, you won't find them here. It should also be noted that, despite the range in verse and prose, there's little diversity in Collins' choice of poets.

Overall Rating
Engagement

Teachers will appreciate the straightforwardness of the site— it’s simply an index of 180 printer-friendly poems. With topics like relationships, love, and death, students will enjoy the accessibility of the collection.

Pedagogy

With an emphasis is on speaking and listening, students' fear of "not getting the poem" may be diminished. However, with little weight given to analysis, the site could discourage opportunities for deeper learning.

Support

Audio versions of the poems could help serve as great models for students. Also, a pronunciation guide would be especially helpful for ELL and Special Ed students.

Common Sense reviewer
Jeff Knutson Common Sense
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Key Standards Supported

Speaking & Listening

  • SL.9-10.1

    Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

  • SL.9-10.1a

    Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.

  • SL.9-10.1b

    Work with peers to set rules for collegial discussions and decision-making (e.g., informal consensus, taking votes on key issues, presentation of alternate views), clear goals and deadlines, and individual roles as needed.

  • SL.9-10.1c

    Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that relate the current discussion to broader themes or larger ideas; actively incorporate others into the discussion; and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions.

  • SL.9-10.1d

    Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives, summarize points of agreement and disagreement, and, when warranted, qualify or justify their own views and understanding and make new connections in light of the evidence and reasoning presented.

  • SL.11-12.1

    Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11–12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

  • SL.11-12.1a

    Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.

  • SL.11-12.1b

    Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions and decision-making, set clear goals and deadlines, and establish individual roles as needed.

  • SL.11-12.1c

    Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that probe reasoning and evidence; ensure a hearing for a full range of positions on a topic or issue; clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions; and promote divergent and creative perspectives.

  • SL.11-12.1d

    Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments, claims, and evidence made on all sides of an issue; resolve contradictions when possible; and determine what additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or complete the task.

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Community Rating

(See all 4 reviews) (4 reviews) Write a review
Featured review by
Bethany R. , School district administrator
School district administrator
Clio Area School District
Clio, United States
Great site for student friendly poetry.
The site is useful to find poems to start a poetry unit and/or lesson. I'd like to see it add more features, such as biographical information on the poets or a community forum for people to share their thoughts on the poems. The site could also be improved by having an audio version of the poems. It's a useful site but limited in its scope.
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