What's Your Poetry Story?

Mother Goose Reading Poetry

Poet Janet Wong suggests that many adults dislike poetry because of their experiences with poetry during their school years. As teachers, we don't want to ruin poetry for children. In order to teach poetry to children, I think we should ask some questions about our own childhood experiences with poetry.

What's your poetry experience? I hope you'll leave a comment answering one or more of these questions.

• How do you feel about poetry? List some of your own experiences with poetry both positive or negative.
• Do you read poetry for your own pleasure now?
• At what age should teachers encourage children to learn the formal elements and forms of poetry?
• When should children be asked to write poetry?
• What would you like to tell your former teachers about how to teach poetry?
• Compile a list of how to turn adults on to poetry.
• Extend this to your classroom. How do you think children will be turned on to poetry?

Poetry Resources - What would you add to this list? Please leave links in the comments section.

Think, Kid, Think - Ed DeCaria uses poetry to help kids embrace:

Humor.
Empathy.
Logic.
Passion.

Poetry Foundation's good for children poems - The Poetry Foundation is "an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture."

ETTC Poetry Forms - A great resource with scaffolds to write your own poems. 

Giggle Poetry - Funny poems for children, edited by Bruce Lansky.

Favorite Poem Project - Learning to reading, discussing and appreciating poems. Favorite Poem Project's Lesson Plans.

Book Spine Poetry - A great poetry form to try with your students.

Image by mrsdkrebs

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