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The article focuses on an innovative approach to teaching language through creative writing, specifically through the "Mis Antepasados / My Ancestors" project, where students write poems to their ancestors in Spanish. This project aims to foster a sense of wonder and personal connection among students, encouraging them to explore their cultural heritage and express it through language and art collaborations with other students.

The article focuses on the experience of teaching Ron Padgett's poem "Nothing in That Drawer" in an eighth-grade English class, exploring whether simplicity can still qualify as poetry. Topics include the initial skepticism from students regarding the poem's poetic merit, the effectiveness of reading it aloud to convey its depth, and the subsequent creative writing assignment inspired by the poem's structure.

The article offers information on using poetry to motivate and inspire students during difficult times. Topics include the author's preference for teaching poetry in January due to its conducive atmosphere for brooding metaphors and imagery, the emotional exhaustion of students in January 2021 following a year of political unrest and Covid lockdowns, and the effectiveness of using Naomi Shihab Nye's poem "Burning the Old Year" to help students process their emotions and seek a fresh start.

An interview with haiku poet and environmentalist Anne Burgevin is presented. She discusses her use of haiku in teaching creative writing and fostering environmental awareness among students. Topics include Burgevin's discovery of haiku, the challenges of transitioning from "me" focused to "not me" focused poetry, and her approach to teaching haiku to students of different age groups, emphasizing sensory experiences and cultural connections.