Hi Don,
I like students to memorize poems but fifty lines is quite a task, and could be off-putting and counter-productive. A poem that's not too daunting to learn, perhaps 'The Road Not Taken' or something similar, is a good place to start.
Isn't it preferable to be able to recite several poems, than fifty lines of a long poem such as 'In Praise of Limestone'?
I memorized Leigh Hunt's 'Abou Ben Adhem and the Angel' for homework when I was twelve, and can still recite it - and still love it!
Teachers have a huge responsibility and many of them have turned children off poetry for life, which is totally unforgiveable and to be avoided at all costs. The age of the students is a major consideration when choosing the style, and length, of a poem for them to learn; 'Less is More' is worth bearing in mind IMO (though giving them the choice would probably result in just a limerick!).
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