Poetry is a
literary expression in which language is used in a concentrated blend of sound
and imagery to create an emotional response; essentially rhythmic, it is
usually lyrical and frequently structured in stanzas. Poetry is one of the first forms of literature children
encounter. Pat-a-cake, this little
piggy and other rhymes greet the ears of most babies. Soon after this period Mother Goose becomes the norm and
rhymes for jumping rope and playing games are heard almost daily.
Poetry, of
course, be it for child or adult (and the distinction is not always clear) is
very much a matter of perception.
Poems speak to the individual, even more than stories do. The rules of poetry selection are the
same for the selection of any kind of literacy material that you are going to
use with kids. It must speak to
you as the living breathing adult you are before you can help it speak to
kids. If it’s supposed to be
funny, it should make you laugh or at least smile. If it’s supposed to be sad, it should choke you up a
bit. If it’s a description of a
thing or a feeling, it should help you see it or feel it in a new way.
Types
of Poetry:
Rhyme - refers to a close similarity of sound as well as an exact correspondence; such as Mother Goose
Rhymes.
Limericks -highly controlled, lines 1,2 and 5
rhyme; lines 3 and 4 rhyme. While unsuitable for serious verse, they are more
light and humorous.
Free
Verse - lacks
rhyme and has less predictable rhythm
Haiku - Japanese form of poetry, form is
17 syllables in three lines with pattern:
first line 5 syllables; second line 7 syllables; third line, 5
syllables. Usually has nature
themes.
Light
Verse - A loose
catch-all term describing poetry written with a relaxed attitude and ordinary
tone on trivial, mundane, or frivolous themes. It is intended to amuse and
entertain and is frequently distinguished by sophistication, wit, word-play,
elegance, and technical competence.
Paradox - A statement which contains
seemingly contradictory elements or appears contrary to common sense, yet can
be seen as perhaps, or indeed, true when viewed from another angle.
Narrative - The narration of an event or
story, stressing details of plot, incident and action, it contains a lot of
detail
The poetry creates images of sight,
touch, smell, and taste to help children in making comparisons to what they
understand and know and to help them stretch their verbal and mental images.
The poetry stirs emotions such as
delight, sadness, nostalgia, etc.
The words in the poems play with the
sounds of language. Similes and metaphors are appropriate for children to
understand and appreciate.
Children can understand the poetry or
understand it with the help of an adult.
Does the poetry make the child see
something in a new way?
What is the purpose of the poetry? Has
the poet achieved this
purpose without patronizing childhood?
Contents they can relate to based on
their own experiences.
They prefer rhyme and humorous poetry
that are not complex.
Children relate easier to more
contemporary works than
older or more traditional poetry.
As children get older their preferences
move from simpler works to more intricate imagery and subtle emotion.
1. Allows children to express their
feelings.
2. Allows children to relate to other
people and situations.
3. Encourages a creative way to learn
about other cultures.
4. Helps expand vocabulary and teaches an
appreciation for language.
5. Its fun!
Unit of Study Framework
1.
Exposure
read
many examples of poetry
invite
students to talk about what they hear, feel ,see
share
copies of favorite poems with students, create
have
students find pieces of writing they think are poems, in advertisements, pic
books, signs, posters etc
create
a What WE Say is Poetry Bulletin Board
listen
for poetic language in picture books we are reading
poetry
book marks, treasure hunts for poetic language
poetry
centers
study
the lives of different poets
2.
Exploration
-
create a class criteria for “quality” poems
-
elements of poetry
-
form, format, free verse
-
applying criteria in peer conferences, author’s chair
-
Use picture books to demonstrate poetic devices
-
poetry “exercises”
3.
Experimentation
-
invite students to write poems
-
Richard Margolis “short sayings”
-
publishing opportunities - places to share
-
teacher poetry conferences / circles
Unit of
Study Mini-Lessons: Poetry
Week One:
-
read aloud various poems each day and allow students to talk about what they
see, feel, hear; have many poetry books available for students to read and
enjoy; share copies of favorite poems with students, making copies for them to
keep
Week Two / Three:
- discuss the idea of an anthology, explain
collecting poems around a central theme
- have students search for things they think are
poetry, create a “This is Poetry” bulletin board
- add / share ideas being put on bulletin board by
students
- have a “poetry treasures” search in picture books
for poetic language – make bookmarks of poetic sayings
- begin discussing poems in small groups
- share circle on poetry
Week Four:
- discuss elements of poetry (one new one each day)
- metaphor / simile
- senses / descriptive language
- alliteration
- structure / format / free verse etc.
- rhyme patterns
- onomatopoeia
Week Five:
- have students attempt to write their own poems
- discuss places to publish poems (Class Poetry
Book, newsletter, contests, classroom, home)
- have a Poetry Readers Day
- Celebrations / Publications
A
Circle of Seasons. Livingston, Myra Cohn. Holiday House, Inc., 1988.
A
Classic Treasury of Nursery Songs and Rhymes. Moroney, Tracey.
Barnes And Noble Books, 2001.
A
Light In the Attic. Silverstein, Shel. Harper Collins Children’s Books, 1981.
Book
of Pigericks: Pig Limericks. Lobel, Arnold. Harper Collins Children’s Books, 1983.
Book
of Poems. DePaola, Tomie. Putman Publishing Group, 1988.
Brats. Kennedy, X.J..
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 1986.
Chicken
Socks and Other Contagious Poems. Bagert, Brod. Wordsong, 1993.
The
Children’s Book of America. Bennett, William J.
(Editor). Simon & Schuster Trade,
1998.
The
Dragons Are Singing Tonight. Prelutsky, Jack. Greenwillow Books, 1993.
Dragons
Dragons. Carle, Eric. Putnam Publishing, 1991.
The
Dream Keeper and Other Poems. Hughes, Langston. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1932.
Earth
Songs. Livingston, Myra Cohn. Holiday House, Inc., 1986.
Falling
Up. Silverstein, Shel. Harper Collins Children’s Books, 1996.
The
Frogs Wore Red Suspenders. Prelutsky,
Jack. Greenwillow Books, 2002.
The
Gooch Machine. Bagert, Brod. Boydmills Press, 1997.
The
Hopeful Trout and other Limericks. Ciardi, John. Houghton Mifflin Co., 1991.
I
Never Did That Before. Moore, Lilian. Simon & Schuster Children’s
Publishing, 1995.
I
Never Told and Other Poem. Livingston, Myra
Cohn. Macmillan Publishing Co., 1992.
If You
Ever Meet a Whale. Livingston, Myra Cohn (Selected
Poems). Holiday House, Inc., 1992.
If You’re
Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand: Poems About School. Dakos, Kalli.
Simon
& Schuster Trade, 1995.
Is
Your Mama a Lama? Guarino, Deborah. Scholastic, Inc., 1997.
My
Kingdom for a Horse: An Anthology of Poems About Horses. Schwartz, Betty Ann (Editor). Henry Holt Books for young Readers, 2001.
The
New Adventures of Mother Goose.
Lansky,
Bruce. Simon & Schuster Trade,
1993.
New
Kid On the Block. Prelutsky, Jack. Greenwillow Books, 2002
The
Nonsense Poems of Edward Lear.
Lear,
Edward. Houghton Mifflin Co.,
1991.
The
Owl and the Pussy-Cat. Lear, Edward. North-South Books Inc., 1995.
Owls
and Pussy-Cats Nonsense Verse. Lear, Edward &
Carroll, Lewis. Peter Bedrick
Books, 1993.
Poems
of A. Nonny Mouse. Prelutsky, Jack (Selected
Poems). Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1989.
Poetry
By Heart A Child’s Book of Poems.
Attenborough,
Liz (Compiled Poems). The Chicken House, 2001.
Poetry
for a Lifetime: All-time Favorite Poems to Delight and Inspire All Ages.
Etheredge,
Samuel Norfleet. Harlequin Books,
1999.
Poetry
Place Anthology: More than 600 Poems for All Occasions! Scholastic Book, Inc.. Scholastic, Inc., 1994.
20th
Century Children’s Poetry Treasury. Prelutsky,
Jack (Selected Poems). Alfred A.
Knopf, Inc., 1999.
Talkaty
Talker. Manley, Molly. Boyds Mills Press, Inc., 1994.
Talking
to the Sun: An Illustrated Anthology of Poems for Young People. Koch, Kenneth
& Farrell, Kate. Henry Holt
& Co., Inc., 1985.
There
Was a Place and Ohter Poems. Livingston, Myra Cohn. Simon & Schuster Children’s
Publishing, 1988.
There
Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.
Taback,
Simms. Penguin Books USA,
Inc., 1997.
There
Was an Old Man. Lear, Edward. William Morrow and Co., Inc., 1994.
Uncle
Switch Loony Limericks. Kennedy, X.J.. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 1997.
Where
the Sidewalks Ends. Silverstein, Shel. Harper Collins Children’s Books, 1973.
Wish
You Were Here and I Wasn’t. McNaughton,
Colin. Candlewick Press, 1999.
Suggested
Authors
Adoff,
Arnold
Asch,
Frank
Carle,
Eric
Ciardi,
John
DePaola,
Tomie
Dr. Suess
Fleischman,
Paul
Hopkins,
Lee Benett
Hughes,
Langston
Kennedy,
X.J.
Lansky,
Bruce
Lear,
Edward
Little,
Jean
Livingston,
Myra Cohn
Moore,
Lilian
Prelutsky,
Jack
Shields,
Carol Diggory
Silverstein,
Shel
Taback,
Simms
Updike,
John
Related
Sites about Poetry
http://geocities.com/EnchantedForest/5165/lessonplans.html
http://www.galegroup.com/school/resrcs/poets_cn/index.htm
http://www.ahapoetry.com/
www.poeticbyway.com
www.carolhurst.com
http://falcon.jmu.edu