I'm a big fan of teaching kids poetry. Read on to discover why and to get the skinny on the eight steps that you might want to follow when teaching poetry!
One of my favorite traditions to come out of our homeschooling experience has been poetry tea time. Every Thursday morning, the girls and I take out our pretty tea cups, light some candles, and sit down with a warm drink and something delicious to eat. Then, we each read two or three poems to each other. All three of us look forward to this time every week. I highly recommend implementing your own poetry tea time—even if you don't have kids! Take a little time each week to slow down with some meaningful words, a warm mug of tea, and the glow of a flickering candle. (Julie Bogart of Brave Writer introduced me to this idea. Thank you, Julie!)
I know from firsthand experience that finding the right poetry for kids can be a difficult task.
Aside from finding the right poem, the actual teaching may also be a bit daunting for you. Many of us were not taught poetry when we were children. (I wasn't.) But, we can still enjoy teaching kids poetry and learning it ourselves!
Please know that there are many ways you can teach poetry, ranging from a less formal study of the poem (like the poetry tea time mentioned above) to a more formal study of the poem (covered below).
If you'd like a more formal way to study poetry with children, these eight steps will help you feel comfortable teaching kids poetry, and they'll help your students or kids get the most out of it.
1. Read the poem aloud.Feel free to use this free poetry lesson plan that I wrote for the poem, "Columbus."
Hello! I'm Elizabeth O'Brien, and my goal is to get you jazzed about grammar.
The way that Elizabeth teaches is so impressive that I have no words to describe it. It really inspired me and my kids.
- Drinayat, Teacher
If you'd like to teach or learn grammar the easy way—with sentence diagrams—check out our Get Smart Grammar Program.
It starts from the very beginning and teaches you grammar and sentence diagramming in easy, bite-size lessons.
Our Free Guide Gives You A Fun Way
To Teach And Learn The Basics v
Elizabeth O'Brien is the creator of Grammar Revolution.
Her lessons are guaranteed to give you more confidence in your communication skills and make you smile. :)