Poetry: Let’s Talk About It (Write Task)

As the article by Duthie and Zimet stated in the module, poetry really is part of our language culture, and, fortunately, many students get really excited about poetry. Poetry usually has a certain beat and rhythm to it (even free verse poetry or prose) and some poetry even rhymes (though it does not have to). Therefore, why do so many teachers and educators shy away from teaching poetry? The articles explored these ideas and more so let’s talk about it!

Many teachers hesitate to teach poetry and have their students write their own poems in fear that it is “beyond their ability.” However, shouldn’t educators be looking for a way to challenge students? Furthermore, poetry can be so creative that students will enjoy writing it because it will allow them to use their fabulous imaginations! (Think “Poetry is like directions for your imagination!”) So, I argue, then, that poetry is NOT beyond student or teacher abilities and could be a great confidence builder instead. As the article by Linaberger (that I annotated in the previous post) states too, reading poems with students is simply not enough. When teachers just read to students and do not give them opportunities to read and write themselves (or engage with reading and/or writing workshop) it essentially undermines their abilities and makes them feel less like readers, writers, and thinkers.

Teachers, too, should write their own poetry and allow students to read their work! Just think how beneficial this could be for students and teachers alike! It takes away the idea that only professional authors can create great work/poetry that is “good enough,” while this simply is just not the case!

In fact, the article by Linaberger also provides an “action plan” for teaching/using poetry in schools. While I won’t go over all ten of the steps in the action plan here, it is essential that educators (future, current, and former) realize that publishing poetry is not only for those with English degrees! In fact, anyone can write great poetry.

Winter as an Adult

A The coldness of winter makes me shutter and freeze

B Because I just cannot stand this cold, frigid air.

C I just slump on the old couch with nothing to do.

B Why couldn’t this winter season be the most rare

A Instead of the longest? Winter pass quickly please!

D Hot chocolate isn’t healthy, Santa isn’t real.

E I see icicles and sloppy snowmen outside.

C I honestly don’t think I’ll ever get through

E This winter. Everything just makes me want to hide.

D Now that I’m an adult winter has no appeal.

Also, I want to mention that, in the article by Duthie and Zimet (“Poetry is like Directions for your Imagination”), it is made clear that students can learn a lot from poetry (even though it may seem like all “play”). However, it has been shown that children learn best through play or things they enjoy. In other words, when using/writing and reading poetry, students do not even realize they are learning sometimes and it is hard to ignore the beat and “sway” that poetry can provide. This is probably one of the reasons why children (and people in general) love music! Music is poetry in a sense and a world without music is not a world most people would want to live in. Think how dull it would be! Music (along with variety) is the “spice of life” after all!

Plus, there are countless resources such as books that involve poetry (think popular books by Dr. Seuss such as “Cat in the Hat” or another book that I reviewed for my book review this semester “Jazz Baby”). There are many books and resources teachers can pull from for books in poetry or that involve poetry that students will absolutely adore! Some of my favorite rhyming books include “Llama Llama Red Pajama,” “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,” and “Sheep in a Jeep.”

Now, after discussing all of this, let’s talk/think about how an educator could use poetry to build imagination in the written work of students while addressing issues in society.

I believe that poetry should be involved in a classroom for many reasons as discussed, but one of those major reasons is to address/tackle societal issues. In other words, poems can really be about anything and can address issues in society such as race, terrorist attacks/violence, gender identity, and more. In this way, then, poetry can provide students with an outlet/coping mechanism instead of other coping strategies that could be very harmful or self-destructive. Students can feel free, welcome, and open to bring up these issues especially if teachers have read aloud poetry that addresses similar issues. I think it is important, too, to have discussions with students before they go back to their seats after reading such a heavy or emotionally charged or controversial poem about an issue. Plus, as the articles discuss, poetry can be a healthy way to deal with thoughts and feelings and to let your feelings out. Plus, writing poetry is virtually free as all you need is a pencil or pen and paper. I would encourage all future educators (even preschool teachers) to incorporate poetry into their classrooms. The benefits of teaching poetry reach far and wide! Why not teach it then?