By Dr Sally Murphy

Teaching Poetry for Pleasure and Purpose helps teachers bring the joy of poetry back into the classroom while building students' understanding of how poetry works. Written by award-winning educator, researcher and poet Dr Sally Murphy, this practical resource supports teachers to teach poetry explicitly, creatively and confidently across the primary years.

While many children first encounter poetry through songs, rhymes and picture books, that early enthusiasm can sometimes fade when poetry becomes something to analyse rather than enjoy. This book demonstrates how teachers can balance pleasure and purpose, helping students appreciate poetry as readers, performers and writers while developing their understanding of poetic forms, language features and creative expression.

Structured around the primary years, each chapter focuses on a specific year level and provides carefully selected poems alongside practical teaching ideas. Through authentic examples and engaging classroom activities, Murphy demonstrates how poetry can become a powerful vehicle for literacy learning, creativity and enjoyment.

Why purchase this book?

• Learn how to teach poetry in ways that are both enjoyable and educationally purposeful
• Build confidence with poetry terminology, forms and language techniques
• Explore a wide variety of poetic forms, from traditional rhymes to contemporary verse novels
• Access practical classroom activities that support reading, speaking, performing and writing
• Find poetry examples and teaching ideas tailored to every primary year level
• Help students understand how poetry creates meaning through language and structure
• Reignite enthusiasm for poetry in both teachers and students

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Ideal for

• Classroom teachers (Foundation–Year 6)
• Teacher librarians
• Literacy leaders
• Pre-service teachers
• Early career teachers