Want to ignite a love of language, self-expression, and intellectual rebellion in your students? A Dead Poets Society club - inspired by the iconic film - offers a space for students to explore poetry beyond textbooks, celebrate individuality, and find their voices. Here’s how to create a club that’s equal parts profound and playful.
Equipment You’ll Need
Keep it simple. Start with basics: notebooks (or recycled paper) and pens for writing exercises. A whiteboard or large easel pad helps brainstorm themes or deconstruct poems. For atmosphere, string up fairy lights or use LED candles - mood lighting matters when reciting Robert Frost by “candlelight.”
A Bluetooth speaker sets the tone for silent writing sessions (try instrumental playlists or nature sounds). Stock a shelf with poetry anthologies like The Norton Anthology of Poetry or niche collections like Collected Poems by Philip Larkin. For digital resources, the Poetry Foundation offers free poems and lesson plans. Pro tip: A thrifted trunk or vintage suitcase makes a fun “poetry archive” to store student work.
Suitable Locations
Think cozy and unconventional. A quiet classroom with movable desks works, but aim for spaces that spark creativity: a library nook, an outdoor courtyard under a tree, or even an empty auditorium stage for dramatic readings. If your school has a “moody” basement room with creaky floors? Perfect.
For virtual options, Zoom breakout rooms can mimic small-group discussions, but in-person is ideal for the raw, unfiltered magic of shared poetry. Avoid sterile, fluorescent-lit spaces - this club thrives on intimacy. If you’re stuck with a cinderblock classroom, throw down rugs or floor pillows to soften the vibe.
Age Range
Best for grades 7–12. Middle schoolers (12–14) enjoy the freedom to experiment with silly limericks or slam poetry, while high schoolers (15–18) dive into deeper themes - identity, social justice, existential angst (they’ll love Sylvia Plath). For younger students (10–11), simplify activities: focus on haikus, concrete poetry, or collaborative group poems.
Mixed-age groups can work wonders, though. Older students often mentor younger ones, and shy teens might open up more around less judgmental middle schoolers. Just set clear guidelines to keep discussions respectful.
Who Will Enjoy This?
Not just the “English class stars.” This club attracts:
- Quiet thinkers who thrive in low-pressure, reflective settings.
- Drama kids eager to perform spoken word or dramatic readings.
- Rebels who roll their eyes at structured curricula but light up when handed Allen Ginsberg’s Howl.
- Visual artists who want to blend poetry with sketches or zines.
Even reluctant readers might surprise you. One student’s eye-roll at Emily Dickinson could turn into a passionate sonnet about skateboarding. Poetry’s flexible like that.
Things to Consider
Emotional Safety: Poetry digs deep. Students might write about trauma, mental health, or family struggles. Establish trust early - rules like “What’s shared here stays here” are non-negotiable. Partner with your school counselor to create a referral plan if heavy topics arise.
Balancing Structure & Freedom: Too rigid, and you kill creativity; too loose, and meetings devolve into TikTok debates. Try a flexible format:
- 10 mins: Free-write prompt (e.g., “Write a letter to your future self”).
- 20 mins: Analyze a poem (use accessible picks like Clint Smith or Amanda Gorman).
- 25 mins: Share work (voluntary!) or collaborate on a group poem.
- 5 mins: Assign a “wildcard homework” (e.g., “Find a poem in a grocery store receipt”).
Inclusivity: Diversify your reading list. Include poets of color, LGBTQ+ voices, and international writers. Button Poetry showcases modern, relatable slam poets. Avoid sidelining students who speak ESL - poetry in translation or bilingual exercises can empower them.
Buy-In From Admin: Skeptical about a club that “just reads poems”? Host a public poetry slam night to showcase student work. Nothing wins over principals like packed auditoriums and tearful parents.
Further Pathways
For students hooked on verse:
- Competitions: Poetry Out Loud hosts national recitation contests with cash prizes.
- Publishing: Submit work to teen lit mags like The Apprentice Writer or online platforms like Teen Ink.
- Community Engagement: Partner with local cafes for open mic nights or collaborate with the art club on interdisciplinary projects.
- Career Connections: Highlight poetry-adjacent paths - publishing, teaching, speechwriting, or even lyricism for aspiring musicians.
Colleges notice sustained creative involvement too. A student who co-founded a poetry blog or organized a school-wide “Poem in Your Pocket Day” stands out in applications.
Final Tips
Steal the movie’s spirit, not the plot. No need for secret caves or forbidden Whitman readings (unless that’s your thing). Focus on fostering vulnerability and courage. Bring in guest poets - many local writers will Zoom in for free. And remember: Not every poem needs to be “good.” The goal isn’t perfection - it’s passion.
Start with a popcorn read-aloud of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! to break the ice. Then step back. Let them fill the silence.
Carpe diem, indeed.