Poetry,
it’s powerful.
But to some
it makes them powerless.
Left there with just a pencil
they feel they have nothing to write.
But there are
so many ways
and
so many things
that can be written
and can be done.
As a teacher,
the first thing
is to write yourself.
You know – get inspired,
before you can be inspiring.
So write a haiku,
a couplet,
a limerick,
a line.
Try some Dada,
a cinquain,
a free verse
and find
That YOU can do it
and enjoy it yourself.
And then share.
Put it all out there.
And get kids writing.
And get them reading poetry too.
Give them ideas on topics and styles.
Get them to see they can write by the piles.
Make them prolific, have them write everyday.
Have them write, short or long, in a variety of ways.
Just make it happen.
And then, they’ll find a concept,
an idea that they like.
It somehow just works for them
so foster that right
then and there and then ask them to
continue to write.
You just have to start them
get them started
get them going.
Just see where it takes you,
where it takes them.
Go do it,
And please share.
~EMP
A great way to introduce poetry to younger students is to read Sharon Creech’s books Love That Dog and then Love That Cat.
Kids really enjoy the books and it inspires so much student writing. I used to invite real poets into the classroom and celebrate
their experience with a festive poetry recital/slam/festival, etc. where students would share their poems, parents invited.
It makes a wonderful Open House at the end of April, National Poetry Month.
Sandy
Those books are very cool! What a great concept. Wouldn’t that be a fun challenge for students to write a story completely in poetry? Hmmm… something to ponder.
I love the idea of a Open House poetry slam. I bet it is so much fun! What grade level do you teach?