Looking for an easy way to get students writing on day one? Want something that builds community, encourages reflection, and works just as well during sunny days as it does in difficult times? Then you need a FREE “I Am” Poem Lesson and Activity!
Grab your I Am Poem free download right here, and let’s talk about why this activity is a lovely thing to include in your high school English classroom.
Whether you’re starting a new year, wrapping up a unit, or honoring someone special, the “I Am” poem offers the right words for students to express their deepest thoughts—without a forced air of solemnity.
You can get your FREE “I Am” Poem Lesson right here!
What Is an “I Am” Poem?
An “I Am” poem is a simple and beautiful poem format built around sentence starters like:
- I am…
- I feel…
- I dream…
- I hope…
These prompts guide students in writing personal, reflective poetry—even if they claim they “hate” poetry.
The result? A mix of happy memories, troubled thoughts, dreams of starry nights, and reflections on good friends, good laughs, and even times of sorrow.
It’s a wonderful way to build voice while providing structure—ideal for students who need support in expressing themselves.
Why Teach The “I Am” Poem?
There are so many reasons to include the “I Am” poem in your curriculum—especially if you’re teaching struggling or reluctant writers. This activity isn’t just about keeping students busy; it’s about getting them comfortable expressing their ideas on paper.
Here’s why:
It introduces foundational poetry terms
If you’re using the “I Am” poem as the first poem in your class or unit (which I recommend), it’s the perfect time to introduce some basic literary terms.
You can’t have students writing poetry without them knowing what a “line” and a “stanza” are. Use the “I Am” poem to show students what these are.
(My FREE “I Am” Poem worksheet points out these poetry features with definitions explicitly.)
Ask students to count the lines and stanzas in the “I Am” poem to make sure they get it.
If you want to take it even further, you can discuss tone and mood or introduce some basic figurative language techniques, too.
It builds confidence in reluctant writers
There’s something magical about giving students a scaffolded poem and watching their creativity unfold. Even your most resistant writers will walk away thinking, “Hey… that wasn’t so bad.”
Starting with an “I Am” poem might just make your students less resistant to the next poem you assign.
While some students will just fill in the blanks as quickly as possible to get the assignment done and over with, some students might share some laughs and maybe even get a few happy memories on paper.
This poem is often the first time students realize they can write something meaningful.
It fosters classroom community
Sharing these poems (either out loud or on a gallery walk) helps students connect through common experiences. Whether they write about good friends, times of sorrow, or sunny days, they can more easily find common ground with their peers.
I love using the “I Am” poem at the beginning of a Creative Writing class because it doubles as a getting-to-know-you exercise. However, unlike many back-to-school activities, you can skip the awkward talking and standing in front of the class.
In a world of social media and constant comparison, this little poem lets students show up as their true selves—and feel seen for it.
When to Teach the I Am Poem
This flexible poem structure fits into your curriculum in a variety of meaningful ways:
1. First Week of School
Use it as a back-to-school icebreaker! Students introduce themselves with creativity instead of awkward facts. It’s low-stakes, personal, and the perfect start to a year of writing. (Also ideal if your students’ brains are still in vacation mode.)
2. End of a Unit or School Year
Use it as a reflection piece at the end of the year or a big unit. Let students reflect on how they’ve changed—especially after a novel study, identity unit, or a school year full of good times and maybe even a few moist eyes.
3. Beginning of a Creative Writing Class or Poetry Unit
If you’re just starting a Creative Writing Class or poetry unit, the “I Am” poem is the perfect introduction! It eases reluctant writers into putting their ideas on paper, introduces basic lit terms, and gently gets students comfortable with sharing their work with others.
4. April: National Poetry Writing Month
Want to celebrate National Poetry Writing Month but short on time? The “I Am” poem is the perfect one-and-done poetry activity!
How to Teach the I Am Poem
Step 1: Introduce the Poem
Start with a model.
I highly recommend the model be your own “I Am” poem. That way, students aren’t just learning about a type of poem–they’re learning about and connecting with you. Again, this makes the “I Am” poem a perfect back-to-school lesson!
Explain “lines” and “stanzas” if these are terms you haven’t covered before. Remind students that these poems don’t need to be perfect.
If you want to add some rigor to this basic poem, you can talk about tone and voice. Will students’ own “I Am” poem be full of lines of perfect joy? Bittersweet? Humorous? Encourage variety.
Step 2: Use the Template
You can a FREE template and teaching slideshow here!
Use this worksheet with your students. The sentence stems help students feel supported. You can project them, pass out a worksheet, or even post it on your LMS or online classroom for easy access.
(If students are having a hard time filling in the blanks, they might be overwhelmed with the number of choices. After all, there are a lot of ways to finish the sentence: I feel _____. For these students, you can ask them to focus on one part or aspect of their life. Maybe have them think of happy times, a difficult time, or a hobby they love to focus on. My own personal “I Am” poem focused on how I feel as a greyhound mom!)
Step 3: Encourage Expression
Let students know it’s okay to be funny, serious, or even dark. Some may write about juicy bones and pet dreams, others about undue grief, or finding peace in the next room. Give space for all of it.
(Want to go deeper? Invite students to write as a character from literature, a historical figure, or someone they’ve lost. It can be a powerful final farewell. You could even do the “I Am” poem again after a later unit or novel study and challenge students to come up with thoughtful ways to write an “I Am” poem from a character’s point of view.)
Step 4: Have Students Share Their I Am Poems
There are all kinds of ways to have students share their poetry.
My favorite method for the “I Am” poem, however, is to do a simple gallery walk.
As students finish writing their “I Am” poem, have them hang their poems up around the room. (I had clips on wire around my room for this specific purpose, but you could just use Scotch tape, too.)
Then, give students time to walk around and read their peers’ poems. You can even have them add a Post-it note to poems with positive feedback. (If this is the first poem students are writing in your class, you may want to skip constructive criticism and just work on building confidence first.)
Download the FREE I Am Poem Resource
You’ll get everything you need to teach this poem successfully:
- ✅ Teaching slideshow
- ✅ Student worksheet
- ✅ Teaching tips
- ✅ Options for deeper extension
Perfect for:
- Back-to-school
- Identity units
- Poetry month
- Memory writing
- Funeral or memorial writing prompts
- Or just making room for some good laughs and self-expression
It’s all part of the master plan—one that honors voice, writing, and the unbroken continuity of human experience.
Final Thoughts
As English teachers, we help students find the words they didn’t know they needed. The “I Am” poem gives them a way to reflect, celebrate, and heal—even when they’re unsure how to start.
This is more than just an icebreaker—it’s a place of warmth, a tribute to the self, and a tool to honor the empty places we all carry. From sunny days to the end of the road, this poem has a place in your curriculum.
Download your I Am Poem free today and bring some poetry, personality, and peace to your classroom.