This article provides some practical information on use of poetry to teach such subject areas as history, literature, philosophy, social studies, minority and foreign studies, and the social sciences. Reference is made to the Watershed Foundation, which has a large collection of poetry on cassette tapes that feature the original authors reading and talking about their own work. Criteria are set forth for choosing poems to work with. Six poems by four poets are discussed, covering the topics of history, geography, race relations, family and heritage, and self-perception. Activities for each poem include independent student activity, teacher-assisted activity, or group activity. The poets whose works are included are Langston Hughes, Owen Dodson, Etheridge Knight, and Lucille Clifton. (YLB)