POETRY

Poetry is often associated with old language artfully crafted into metaphors and images that need to be decifered by the reader in order to obtain meaning form the text. However, poetry does not have to be this painful, espcially within the elementary classroom. Dr, Seuss and Shel Silverstien are some examples of poets who choose to use silly, fun, and imagtive language in their poetry. On the surface, their poetry is colorful and entertaining; yet, voice can be heard even through their work. After all, isn't Green Eggs and Ham supposed to teach children to open their minds to trying new things. This is the beauty of poetry. It is a source for expression and letting voices be heard: Voices that are normally silenced, voices of giref and sorrow. voices of anger, and voices of apology. Sometimes, even just a silly voice. Whatever the voice may be, poetry can be a tool used in the classroom to make this self-expression available.

 

Still, it is a sad truth that standards need to be met within all aspects of a classroom. However, in most grades there is an SOL that covers reading and comprehending a fictional text. This can include poetry. But don't just stop there. Never make a lesson using poetry just about poetry, because comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary skills can be taught and applied to poetry, as well. All these important aspects of language development are crucial to understand and interpreting a poem, and even writing poetry. The books chosen in this text set can be applied to a variety of grade levels and integrated in different ways. Love That Dog by Sharon Creech can be read as to introduce students to reading and interpreting poetry. Then, The Way a Door Closes by Hope Anita Smith, can be used to let students apply what they learned from Jack's exprience in Love That Dog to understanding and comprehending C.J.'s expierence. Finally, students own ability to write poetry can be applyed through This is Just to Say by Joyce Sidman. Then, poetry can still be integrated outside of the Language Arts classroom by using Ubiquitous, or a similar Non-fiction poetry book.

 

Reguardless of how a teacher uses poetry in the classroom, it is important to remember that poetry is not just a seperate genre to be simply studied. It is a genre integrated into multiple ascpects of Language Arts. Poetry can teach students how to read, intrepret, and use words in a different and creative way.