What’s That Sound? Onomatopoeia Poem This is VerseLove. We write poems together every day during April. Glad you are here. Our Host Margaret Simon lives on the Bayou Teche in New Iberia, Louisiana.  Margaret has been an elementary school teacher for 38 years, most recently retired and teaching periodically as a teaching artist in the schools. Her first book of children’s poetry was published in 2018 by UL Press, Bayou Song: Creative…

What’s That Sound? Onomatopoeia Poem

This is VerseLove. We write poems together every day during April. Glad you are here. Our Host Margaret Simon lives on the Bayou Teche in New Iberia, Louisiana.  Margaret has been an elementary school teacher for 38 years, most recently retired and teaching…

Reading Haiku Welcome. We are on Day 21 of 30 days of VerseLove. Let's circle back to haiku for brevity, but with a new perspective from today's host. Our Host In May of 2025, Sharon Roy retired from 31 years of teaching middle school in Austin, TX where she lives with her husband. Now she enjoys riding her bike to take herself on field trips to swim at Barton Springs, bird with Travis Audubon Society, admire the art at local museums, read outside in parks and take classes with a local lifelong learning institute.

Reading Haiku

Welcome. We are on Day 21 of 30 days of VerseLove. Let's circle back to haiku for brevity, but with a new perspective from today's host. Our Host In May of 2025, Sharon Roy retired from 31 years of teaching middle school in Austin, TX where she lives with her husband. Now she enjoys…

Deeds and Dandelions Welcome. The poem writing inspiration is part of VerseLove, our celebration of National Poetry Month. Our Host Corinne lives in Detroit, Michigan, teaching in Detroit Public Schools Community District. She is an Education Specialist Student at Wayne State University. Corinne is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Iota Omega Chapter and the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.

Deeds and Dandelions

Welcome. The poem writing inspiration is part of VerseLove, our celebration of National Poetry Month. Our Host Corinne lives in Detroit, Michigan, teaching in Detroit Public Schools Community District. She is an Education Specialist Student at Wayne State University. Corinne…

Press Play: Connections This poetry idea is part of VerseLove, our celebration of poetry for National Poetry Month. Learn more here. Our Host: Stefani Boutelier Stefani is an Associate Professor of Education at Aquinas College in Michigan. She teaches courses for pre-service and in-service teachers in instructional design, literacy, ed tech, and research methods. Her K-12 teaching was in California prior to moving into teacher preparation. 

Press Play: Connections

This poetry idea is part of VerseLove, our celebration of poetry for National Poetry Month. Learn more here. Our Host: Stefani Boutelier Stefani is an Associate Professor of Education at Aquinas College in Michigan. She teaches courses for pre-service and in-service…

Golden Hinge Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a feeling a poem stirred—is also a meaningful way to participate. This is a generous, low-pressure space.

Golden Hinge

Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a feeling a poem stirred—is also a…

The Queen of Our Kitchens Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a feeling a poem stirred—is also a meaningful way to participate. This is a generous, low-pressure space.

The Queen of Our Kitchens

Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a feeling a poem…

Beginning Again Our Host: Stacey Joy Stacey Joy is a National Board Certified Teacher, Google Certified Educator, and 2013 L.A. County Teacher of the Year. Stacey has taught elementary school for 40 years in Los Angeles Unified School District, and she is imagining life in retirement at the end of this school year. Stacey is a UCLA Writing Project fellow and a dedicated writer here with the phenomenal teacher-poets of Ethical ELA.

Beginning Again

Our Host: Stacey Joy Stacey Joy is a National Board Certified Teacher, Google Certified Educator, and 2013 L.A. County Teacher of the Year. Stacey has taught elementary school for 40 years in Los Angeles Unified School District, and she is imagining life in retirement at the end of…

A Playful Cascade Congratulations. We’re halfway. A gentle note for today based on some feedback: remember that we’re in this for the long haul, and there are a range of ways to show up. Some of us write every day, some once a week, some only on Tuesdays—whatever rhythm is sustainable and joyful for you is enough. We’re so glad you’re writing when you can, and offering a few responses (aiming for three) is a beautiful way to witness one another’s lives and meet new people.

A Playful Cascade

Congratulations. We’re halfway. A gentle note for today based on some feedback: remember that we’re in this for the long haul, and there are a range of ways to show up. Some of us write every day, some once a week, some only on Tuesdays—whatever rhythm is sustainable and joyful…

Taxing Matters Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a feeling a poem stirred—is also a meaningful way to participate. This is a generous, low-pressure space.

Taxing Matters

Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a feeling a poem stirred—is also a…

Moments of Clarity/Haibun Our Host: Ann E. Burg Ann lives in upstate New York with her husband and her scarededy-cat dog. She was a teacher for ten years and is now a mostly-middle-grade author. Drawn to stories of the disenfranchised and voiceless, she usually finds inspiration in little known or too-soon-forgotten historical incidents. Though she’s no longer teaching, Ann continues to be interested in the challenges children and young adults face.

Moments of Clarity/Haibun

Our Host: Ann E. Burg Ann lives in upstate New York with her husband and her scarededy-cat dog. She was a teacher for ten years and is now a mostly-middle-grade author. Drawn to stories of the disenfranchised and voiceless, she usually finds inspiration in little known or…

The Poetry of Everyday Quick note for a more intentional, easeful experience: You can subscribe on the site (right sidebar) to receive prompts by email; follow a rhythm that works for you—morning or evening, writing or responding (across time zones)—use Ctrl+F to find your comments and the bell to set notifications; take a moment to seek out a new-to-you poet in the group and attend to their work today; and if you’re able, invite a colleague, preservice teacher, or college student to join us.

The Poetry of Everyday

Quick note for a more intentional, easeful experience: You can subscribe on the site (right sidebar) to receive prompts by email; follow a rhythm that works for you—morning or evening, writing or responding (across time zones)—use Ctrl+F to find your comments and the bell to…

The “Loves” Emulation—A Thematic List Poem that Digs and Sings Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a feeling a poem stirred—is also a meaningful way to participate. This is a generous, low-pressure space.

The “Loves” Emulation—A Thematic List Poem that Digs and Sings

Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image…

Love Letter to a Place You Love Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a feeling a poem stirred—is also a meaningful way to participate. This is a generous, low-pressure space.

Love Letter to a Place You Love

Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a feeling a poem…

HOME/HOGAR Welcome to Verselove—a space for educators to nurture their writing lives and celebrate poetry in the community. Each day in April, we come together to explore the power of poetry for both heart and mind. Write with care, for yourself and your readers. When responding, reflect back the beauty you find—lines that linger, ideas that inspire. Enjoy. Our Host Bryan Ripley Crandall lives in Stratford, Connecticut, where he directs the…

HOME/HOGAR

Welcome to Verselove—a space for educators to nurture their writing lives and celebrate poetry in the community. Each day in April, we come together to explore the power of poetry for both heart and mind. Write with care, for yourself and your readers. When responding, reflect back the…

In Poetry We Say Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a feeling a poem stirred—is also a meaningful way to participate. This is a generous, low-pressure space.

In Poetry We Say

Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a feeling a poem stirred—is also…

Aliterative First Line/Last Line Image Welcome.VerseLove is Ethical ELA’s celebration of National Poetry Month each April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. New to VerseLove? Learn more: Our Host Luke Bensing is a husband, father, musician, writer, and teacher. He lives in Valparaiso, IN and teaches 9th Grade English in Merrillville, IN. After working in the wrong vocation for nearly two decades, he earned his BA in English from Purdue University Northwest.

Aliterative First Line/Last Line Image

Welcome.VerseLove is Ethical ELA’s celebration of National Poetry Month each April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. New to VerseLove? Learn more: Our Host Luke Bensing is a husband, father, musician, writer, and teacher. He lives in…

Forgiveness Welcome to Verselove—a space for educators to nurture their writing lives and celebrate poetry in the community. Each day in April, we come together to explore the power of poetry for both heart and mind. Write with care, for yourself and your readers. When responding, reflect back the beauty you find—lines that linger, ideas that inspire. Enjoy the journey. Our Host: Wendy Everard…

Forgiveness

Welcome to Verselove—a space for educators to nurture their writing lives and celebrate poetry in the community. Each day in April, we come together to explore the power of poetry for both heart and mind. Write with care, for yourself and your readers. When responding, reflect back the…

Antonymic Revelations (AKA Un-Found Lines) VerseLove is Ethical ELA’s celebration of National Poetry Month each April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. New to VerseLove? Learn more: Our Host: Jennifer Guyor Jowett What a merry sole lender I am,a giver, a granter of words and ideasand there is everything yet to undoI loudly open my computerand type with fingers spread along the keyboard.

Antonymic Revelations (AKA Un-Found Lines)

VerseLove is Ethical ELA’s celebration of National Poetry Month each April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. New to VerseLove? Learn more: Our Host: Jennifer Guyor Jowett What a merry sole lender I am,a giver, a granter of words and…

Instructions for Traveling with Living Poets Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a feeling a poem stirred—is also a meaningful way to participate. This is a generous, low-pressure space.

Instructions for Traveling with Living Poets

Verselove is a community celebration of poetry in April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a…

Ekphrasis Poetry Welcome.VerseLove is Ethical ELA’s celebration of National Poetry Month each April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. New to VerseLove? Learn more: Our Host: Melissa Heaton Melissa lives in Springville, Utah--a town nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains.  Springville is also known as Art City because of its artistic heritage and dedication to the visual arts.

Ekphrasis Poetry

Welcome.VerseLove is Ethical ELA’s celebration of National Poetry Month each April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. New to VerseLove? Learn more: Our Host: Melissa Heaton Melissa lives in Springville, Utah--a town nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Range of…

Look Around—Here Is a Poem! Welcome.VerseLove is Ethical ELA’s celebration of National Poetry Month each April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. New to VerseLove? Learn more: Our Host: Leilya Pitre Leilya lives in Ponchatoula, LA, a small town celebrated for its strawberries and kind, generous people. She teaches and coordinates the English Education Program at Southeastern Louisiana University. Preparing future English teachers, she hopes they become caring, competent, and effective educators.

Look Around—Here Is a Poem!

Welcome.VerseLove is Ethical ELA’s celebration of National Poetry Month each April—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. New to VerseLove? Learn more: Our Host: Leilya Pitre Leilya lives in Ponchatoula, LA, a small town celebrated for its strawberries and…

VerseLove Opening Invitation Landscapes of Our Lives Every April, VerseLove becomes a landscape—thirty days of poems written across classrooms, kitchen tables, notebooks, and glowing screens around the world. I am Sarah Donovan, founding collaborator of Ethical ELA and Verselove, and we've been writing poetry every April since 2017. Learn more here. We begin this year with a simple idea: our lives are landscapes…

VerseLove Opening Invitation

Landscapes of Our Lives Every April, VerseLove becomes a landscape—thirty days of poems written across classrooms, kitchen tables, notebooks, and glowing screens around the world. I am Sarah Donovan, founding collaborator of Ethical ELA and Verselove, and we've been…

Before We Begin: The People Holding VerseLove As we prepare to step into the 30-day journey of VerseLove 2026, it feels important to pause here, before the first prompt is posted, before the first lines are written, and consider the people who are holding this space. Because VerseLove does not simply happen. It is made possible by a group of educators, writers, and poets who have said yes—quietly, generously—to showing up for a day in April.

Before We Begin: The People Holding VerseLove

As we prepare to step into the 30-day journey of VerseLove 2026, it feels important to pause here, before the first prompt is posted, before the first lines are written, and consider the people who are holding this space. Because VerseLove does not…

Teaching the Weight of Words Writing as Ethical Witness During Genocide Remembrance Month Each April, Genocide Remembrance Month invites us to pause and remember histories of violence that too often fade into abstraction or silence. Several major genocides have key anniversaries in April—the Armenian Genocide beginning April 24, 1915, the Rwandan Genocide beginning April 7, 1994, and the Khmer Rouge’s takeover of Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975.

Teaching the Weight of Words

Writing as Ethical Witness During Genocide Remembrance Month Each April, Genocide Remembrance Month invites us to pause and remember histories of violence that too often fade into abstraction or silence. Several major genocides have key anniversaries in April—the…

A Woman in the News March 2026 is Women’s History Month. When women choose to get involved in the process of community building, they typically join forces with men and collaborate in various ways. They organize events, educate people, start community projects, or just change the room's atmosphere with their kindness and wisdom. This month at Open Write, we will honor community building women--in our family, in our literature, and in the news, by crafting poems to express our thoughts and creativity about our chosen woman. 

A Woman in the News

March 2026 is Women’s History Month. When women choose to get involved in the process of community building, they typically join forces with men and collaborate in various ways. They organize events, educate people, start community projects, or just change the room's atmosphere…

A Woman in Your Family March 2026 is Women’s History Month. When women choose to get involved in the process of community building, they typically join forces with men and collaborate in various ways. They organize events, educate people, start community projects, or just change the room's atmosphere with their kindness and wisdom. This month at Open Write, we will honor community building women--in our family, in our literature, and in the news, by crafting poems to express our thoughts and creativity about our chosen woman.

A Woman in Your Family

March 2026 is Women’s History Month. When women choose to get involved in the process of community building, they typically join forces with men and collaborate in various ways. They organize events, educate people, start community projects, or just change the room's…

It’s VerseLove! Dear Ethical ELA community, April is just around the corner, which means it’s time to begin preparing for one of our favorite traditions: #VerseLove, our month-long celebration of poetry and community writing. Each April, we gather as writers, readers, and witnesses to poems. Some of us write every day. Some write once a week. Some read and respond to others.

It’s VerseLove!

Dear Ethical ELA community, April is just around the corner, which means it’s time to begin preparing for one of our favorite traditions: #VerseLove, our month-long celebration of poetry and community writing. Each April, we gather as writers, readers, and witnesses to poems. Some…

Rethinking the March Madness Poetry Bracket A Humanizing Approach Using Living, Open-Access Poems Each March, many classrooms fill with brackets. Inspired by the energy of the basketball tournament, teachers invite students to read poems head-to-head and vote for their favorites. The structure is familiar and playful. It gives shape to the month and often brings a welcome spark of anticipation to reading. And yet, poetry asks something slightly different of us.

Rethinking the March Madness Poetry Bracket

A Humanizing Approach Using Living, Open-Access Poems Each March, many classrooms fill with brackets. Inspired by the energy of the basketball tournament, teachers invite students to read poems head-to-head and vote for their favorites. The structure is…

Towards More Humane—and Productive—Rubrics by Kate Sjostrom Just over ten years ago, right around the time Ethical ELA was founded, I began teaching writing methods courses to pre-service English teachers. While I strived to model an ethical approach to the teaching of writing, there was one area in which I felt I was not consistently practicing what I preached: rubrics. In many ways, the rubrics we used…

Towards More Humane—and Productive—Rubrics

by Kate Sjostrom Just over ten years ago, right around the time Ethical ELA was founded, I began teaching writing methods courses to pre-service English teachers. While I strived to model an ethical approach to the teaching of writing, there was one area…

Poem Interrupted! Our Host: Dave Wooley Dave lives in State College, Pennsylvania, and he’s not exactly sure how he got there! But, since he’s there, he’s working with pre-service teachers at Penn State University as they prepare to be high school and middle school teachers. He does some rapping, writing, and he’s recently gotten back on skis after a 20 year (or so) hiatus so that he can chase his 11-year-old down mountains.

Poem Interrupted!

Our Host: Dave Wooley Dave lives in State College, Pennsylvania, and he’s not exactly sure how he got there! But, since he’s there, he’s working with pre-service teachers at Penn State University as they prepare to be high school and middle school teachers. He does some rapping,…