Poets in the Schools

Information for teachers and educators

To request a poet

First, review the list of participating poets noting those who have experience with the grade level to be visited. Choose a poet who seems suitable for your students and at least two others in case your first choice is unavailable. Most of our members are eager to visit schools in isolated communities. However, because individual trips can be very expensive, we request that teachers in remote regions work together to invite the poet to tour several schools while in the area. Please contact the office for further information and assistance. Please note that the League office staff cannot make recommendations of poets. Then arrange the visit with the poet. Discuss with them all details such as the type of presentation they will give, how they will get to the school, if they need help finding accomodation, if they charge GST, etc. The teacher should then fill out the application form.
Applications should be received at least three weeks prior to the proposed visit. You may contact the League in advance to get some idea if funding is available. However, funding for the visits is allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis, and only when the teacher receives written confirmation is funding secure.
What happens next?
When we receive your request for a visit, we check if we are able to fund the visit. You will receive a confirmation letter or notification within 3 weeks. After the visit, please complete the evaluation form on the back of your confirmation letter, and/or send us your students' response to the poet and any aspect of the visit.We hope to hear from you soon!

Information for Poets

For a half day visit, the poet will make two presentations of no longer than 45 minutes each.

The poet should have a fifteen minute break between sessions and a one hour lunch break for a full day's visit.

The school must provide at least one meal for the poet.

Class groups are the best to work with for the poets, and the maximum number of students at a session should not exceed 60.

The session should take place in a classroom or library where outside noise will not be a distraction.

The class should be supervised at all times. The poet should not be expected to take care of disruptive students.

Mixed age groups should be avoided if possible and, when impossible, the age spread should be minimal.

Preparation is vital for a successful visit. The poet's work should be displayed prominently and lessons before the visit should, ideally, feature the author.

The poet should be introduced to the audience with some autobiographical information included in the presentation.

Autographs are very popular with younger students. If they do not have the opportunity to purchase the poet's work, it is a good idea to prepare a special poster or booklet as a memento of the visit.

It is most important for the teacher and poet to discuss the visit beforehand, to determine any changes to the above format.

For poets travelling from outside the school's region, a letter and map with clear directions is extremely helpful. Host schools should remember that the poet is unfamiliar with the area, and we ask that they ensure the poet knows where the hotel is, which restaurants are best, and other tips about the community.

Northern Ontario Poets in the Schools Program: For schools in Northern Ontario the League of Canadian Poets will subsidize the full cost of the poet's fee ($300 for full day, $200 for half day) and will reimburse all travel and accommodation expenses when the author visits a minimum of three schools within the same region of Northern Ontario. Exceptions can be made for remote schools (eg. two days in one school, one day in another school.)