The noted poet and author explains how reading helped him surmount his impoverished childhood. -18 mins

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Topics for classroom discussion and assignments:

• Lee Bennett Hopkins reads one of his poems, “Good Books, Good Times” in this program. 

• The poem begins with:
• “Good books, Good Times, Good stories, Good rhymes”
• It then ends with another rousing,
• “Good books, Good times.”

Create a poem with your own “good” verses.

• For example start with:“Good classes, Good teachers,,Good lunch, Good burgers” The final line of the new poem should be, “Good  books, Good times.” 

• Group anthology class project:  The class can be divided into groups of 4 or 5 students.  Each group is to come up with a theme (i.e., nature, sports, friends).  The students in the group will find a variety of poems that fits into their group’s theme. The group can present their anthology to the class, with each student reading a short poem.