You Are Poetry: How to See—and Grow—the Poet in Your Students and Yourself

We are all poets—whether we know it or not—because we all have unique voices to share and stories to tell. Educator Mike Johnston honors that truth with You Are Poetry, a step-by-step curriculum that brings out and lifts up student voice through the art of slam poetry. Across four highly choice-driven course units, complete with modifications for all poets in K–8 classrooms,

Johnston guides readers through activities and insights that will grow poets in your school and citizens in your community. At a time when students struggle to form empathic relationships at school, You Are Poetry underscores the value of being open and alive to the world. These tools don’t just spark creative expression; they go beyond, nurturing it from within as a gift to ourselves and a path to real connection with others.

“Mike not only makes poetry accessible for all, but he gives many incredible activities and resources for you to help others create and understand the beauty in poetry as well. I know I’ll be coming back to this book again and again.”—Todd Nesloney, author of When Kids Lead and dire director of culture and strategic leadership, TEPSA

“Mike’s heart for the poetry in others is clear in every story, tool, strategy, and page of this important resource.”—Buddy Wakefield, three-time World Poetry Slam champion and most-toured performance poet in history

“This book . . . provides tools and techniques for writers at any stage to develop their craft. Readers of all ages will be inspired, encouraged, and challenged to find their poetic voices.”—Ian Keteku, former World Poetry Slam champion